Ersek: Transport Ministry Most Efficient in EU Funds Drawing

Sahy, October 11 (TASR) – The Transport and Construction Ministry has launched tenders for the construction of more than 200 kilometres of highways and expressways over the last two years, stated Transport and Construction Minister Arpad Ersek (Most-Hid) at a press conference in Sahy (Nitra region) on Thursday, evaluating his two years in the post of transport minister.

Ersek added that the construction pace was driven mainly by positive and efficient drawing of EU funds, with the Integrated Infrastructure Operational Programme being the most successful operational programme in Slovakia. Over the past two years its drawing has gone up by almost €1 billion.

Evaluating his two-year work at the ministry, Ersek pinpointed mainly tasks, such as finding solutions for several critical issues on the motorway sections, launching the preparation for new motorways and expressways, carrying out repairs of selected first-class roads as well as boosting the comfort in trains.

Ersek views issues with the construction of the Cebrat tunnel (Zilina region), the missing construction permit for the D4R7 and the missing environmental assessment for the Presov bypass as the biggest problems in the transport sector at the moment.

Regarding air transport, Ersek would like to find a new concessionaire for the Bratislava’s airport that will operate it for 30 years.

According to Most-Hid leader Bela Bugar, who was also present at the press conference, next year’s draft state budget for the Transport Ministry is very well set, as the ministry might be able to use the unused EU money from other operational programmes.