Ersek: If R7 Is Completed Sooner than Part of D4, We'll Open it

Bratislava, November 14 (TASR) – If the R7 expressway between Bratislava, Prievoz and Holice (Trnava region) is built sooner than the south-eastern bypass of the capital on the D4 motorway in the Bratislava, Jarovce – Ivanka north – Bratislava, Raca stretch, we’ll be authorised to press on putting it into operation, said Transport Minister Arpad Ersek (Most-Hid) during an inspection day concerning the construction of the Bratislava bypass on Wednesday.

“We will open the R7 [expressway] when it is built up to the Ruzinov intersection as the largest number of cars comes from the southern route,” said the transport minister.

Ersek refused to talk about a specific date. However, he underlined that given the current pace of progress of the construction works, he didn’t see a reason for not opening the R7 expressway in 2020. “There can be other things that may affect it, but I think that jointly we’re doing everything to open the road as soon as possible,” said Ersek.

The minister further said that the works are currently ongoing both on the R7 expressway and the D4 motorway according to the agreed timetable and concurrently. The connection of the expressway and the motorway doesn’t have to be an insoluble problem. But as he stated, he would be satisfied only when they would be able to cut the ribbon in 2020. At the same time, he believes that the new leaders of the capital city will respond more quickly within the project. “The [local] elections were approaching, so, naturally, the correspondence was opened more slowly. Nevertheless, I don’t want to talk about the past, but about the future,” said Ersek, adding that he had already met with the newly-elected Bratislava mayor, Matus Vallo.

At present, construction works are being carried out on all sections of the project. About 1,400 people are working on the construction.