Slovakia: drivers will return to the difficult detour via Strečno. Višňové Tunnel to be closed
Drivers travelling through Slovakia will face serious disruptions on the D1 motorway. From 4 May, the Višňové Tunnel will be closed for around 14 days, and traffic will be redirected to a detour along road I/18 through Strečno.
Traffic on one of the most important sections of Slovakia’s D1 motorway will be severely restricted. The Višňové Tunnel, the longest road tunnel in the Visegrad Group countries, will undergo its first comprehensive maintenance operation, which will mean temporary closures and the return of traffic to the detour route via Strečno.
The works will begin on 4 May at 08:00, when the tube towards Košice will be closed. Traffic in the opposite direction will be maintained only for part of the day. The tunnel towards Bratislava will be closed at 19:00. The full suspension of operation will last around 14 days.
The scope of works is extensive and covers key elements of the tunnel infrastructure. Nearly 150,000 m² of the tunnel lining will be cleaned, and more than 110,000 m² of road surface will be washed. In addition, 66 km of drainage pipes will be cleaned, more than 3,000 lighting points, 500 fire detectors, 400 cameras, 120 SOS niches and 100 variable message signs will be inspected. A comprehensive inspection will also cover 150 ventilation system devices.
The works will be carried out without interruption, both during the day and at night. Due to their nature, the tunnel cannot remain open to vehicle traffic at the same time.
During the closure, traffic will be redirected to road I/18 through the Strečno gorge. This section is well known to hauliers as an alternative to the D1. In order to maintain capacity, all construction works on this route will be suspended, and traffic will not be additionally restricted by machinery or roadworks.
The Višňové Tunnel is a key element of the D1 transport corridor. Its temporary closure means that a large share of traffic, including international transit, will be moved onto a road with lower capacity.
