DARS started digging the first tunnel as part of the construction of the third development axis

27.03.2024

At the first tunnel as part of the construction project of the third development axis, DARS, in the presence of the Minister of Infrastructure, mag. Alenke Bratušek marked the installation of the statue of St. Barbara, patron saint of miners. The ceremony took place in the area of the northern portal of the Konovo tunnel in the municipality of Velenje. 

According to popular tradition, St Barbara will protect the tunnel workers in the Konovo tunnel, which is part of the future connecting road to the expressway between Velenje and Slovenj Gradec. After the godmother of the tunnel, Ana Sodnik Prah, head of the Spatial Planning Service at DARS, discovered the statue, it was blessed by Janko Rezar, a priest from the Velenje Parish.

The Konovo single-tube tunnel will be 497 m long and will be an integral part of the 1.8 km long two-lane connecting road to the expressway between Velenje and Slovenj Gradec.

President of the board of the company DARS mag. On this occasion, David Skornšek emphasized that at DARS we consider and build the third axis of development as a priority, as this is our largest investment project.

"I am very happy that the construction of the first tunnel - the Konovo tunnel - has started. This is part of the connecting road to the Slovenj Gradec–Velenje south expressway. It is a one-tube two-way tunnel, with two lanes, and will be approximately half a kilometer long. Completion is expected in the second half of next year. I wish the workers of this tunnel successful and safe work. Today's symbolic unveiling of the statue of St. Barbara, which according to tradition brings protection to tunnel workers," said Skornšek. On the other hand, on the third axis, work is currently being accelerated on three sections: Škalsko jezero, Jenina and Konovo. The Gaberka set has already been completed.

"We plan to obtain three more building permits this year. Immediately after they become final, we will carry out all the necessary procedures so that the work can start as soon as possible," emphasized the chairman of the DARS board and added that the public contract for the Velunja block, which is the most technically and financially demanding block, will be announced after the building permit has been obtained . We expect confirmation of the building permit in April and finality in May. So we could announce the second phase of the tender in June and then start work this year.

After obtaining valid construction permits, this year we will also start work on the section between Šentrupert and Velenje. According to the president of the DARS board, the completion of the entire expressway to Carinthia is planned for 2028.

"I am an optimist, because together with my colleagues, designers and those in charge at the ministries and agencies, we are doing our best to make the journeys shorter and safer for our fellow citizens," concluded the president of the DARS board.

DARS concluded the contract for the construction of blocks B and H - Škalsko jezero and Konova - on the section between Velenje and Slovenj Gradec at the beginning of March last year. The works for a contract value of 55.45 million euros (without VAT) are carried out by the consortium Strabag gradbene storitve, d. o. o., and the Ljubljana branch of Strabag AG.

The deadline for the completion of all works is the end of September 2025.

Extent of lot H – Konovo:

Route:
     expressway from km 2+251.74 to km 2+420.00,
     Škále 2-3 connection (connection arms B, C, A and D - partially),
     deviation 1-23 (connecting road, length 1,826.36 m),
     deviations of other roads and recreational routes.

Facilities:
     the Konovo viaduct, 142 m long,
     single-tube tunnel Konovo, 497 m long (on the platform in front of the tunnel on the northern portal, a power plant is planned to power the lighting system of the tunnel during operation),
     bridges over the Paka River in the roundabout on the Velenje–Mislinja regional road,
     supporting and supporting structures.

Other arrangements:

Lot H – Konovo covers arrangements t. i. connecting roads (deviation 1-23b) from the new roundabout on the existing main road Velenje-Slovenj Gradec in the settlement of Škale to the junction Škalsko jezero (connection to block B – Škalsko jezero). As part of the construction of the connecting road, the construction and arrangement of new roundabouts, intersections with existing roads and the arrangement of deviations are foreseen.

Extent of lot B – Škalsko jezero
Route:
     expressway from km 2+145 to km 2+260 (only the Škalsko jezero viaduct with a length of 105 m will be constructed),
     deviation 1-21 of the Velenje–Škale regional road (942 m long),
     deviations of other roads and recreational routes.

  Facility:
     Škalsko jezero viaduct, 105 m long.

Other arrangements:

Lot B - Škalsko jezero also includes works to arrange the drainage and retention of rainwater, the relocation and new construction of communal lines, the implementation of water management arrangements and landscaping.

https://www.dars.si/Sporocila_za_javnost/1/Splosne_novice/2213/DARS_zacel_z_izkopom_prvega_predora_v_sklopu_izgradnje_tretje_razvojne_osi