A new five-kilometre bypass around the Slovak town of Tvrdosin opened on July 21, aiming to reduce traffic and improve safety in the region of Orava. The bypass forms part of the R3 expressway, a key route linking Slovakia with southern Poland.
The first vehicles were allowed already on July 21.
For years, Tvrdosin has been a traffic bottleneck, with nearly 17,000 vehicles – many of them lorries – passing through daily. The new bypass is expected to divert around 6,500 vehicles a day, including up to 1,500 heavy goods vehicles, easing the pressure on the town’s roads.
“This section was completed slightly ahead of schedule thanks to efficient project management,” said Tomas Ferencak, spokesperson for the National Highway Company (NDS).
While some minor landscaping and local road works are still ongoing, the road is fully open to traffic.
Construction was not without challenges. Originally due for completion in 2023, the project was delayed by two years due to a combination of the pandemic, rising material costs, and complex ground conditions. The final cost is expected to reach around EUR 80 million, with the majority funded by the EU.
Locals have waited a long time for relief. Tvrdosin’s mayor Ivan Sasko noted that planning for the bypass began over a decade ago.
“We’ve waited nearly 15 years since the last nearby bypass was built in Trstena. This is a step forward, but not the full solution,” he said.
Other towns along the R3 route – such as Nizna, Podbiel and Dolny Kubin – are still waiting for their own bypasses. Although several sections of the R3 are in various stages of planning or environmental review, there is no clear timeline for completion.
Still, experience from other Slovak regions suggests the impact could be significant. Previous bypass projects have cut lorry traffic through towns by over 90%, bringing quieter streets and improved air quality.
Residents and drivers alike are hopeful the Tvrdosin bypass marks the beginning of broader improvements to the Orava transport network. (The Slovak Spectator)