On Monday, December 22, 2025, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico roller-skated through the newly completed Visnove tunnel, marking the end of a near 30-year infrastructure saga.
The 7.5-kilometre tunnel – now Slovakia’s longest – closes the last gap on the D1 highway, linking Bratislava with Košice. Officials expect it to divert more than 80% of traffic from an accident-prone route that has long frustrated drivers and logistic operators.
Plans for the tunnel date back to 1990, but challenges piled up: construction began in 2014 with an original 2019 deadline, stalled after contract disputes, then resumed in 2021. Final costs exceeded initial estimates by roughly 25%, sparking debate over project management and budget oversight.
During the celebratory opening, Fico quipped, "I didn't want to miss this opportunity to go through the whole tunnel on roller skates." His playful approach drew smiles from onlookers and highlighted a moment of national pride as Slovakia upgrades its transport network for the 21st century.
With the Visnove tunnel operational, transit times between the two major cities could shrink by up to 20 minutes, boosting trade and tourism across the country. For young travellers and digital nomads exploring Central Europe, the improved D1 promises smoother journeys and new hubs of opportunity beyond Bratislava.
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Slovak PM celebrates long-delayed tunnel opening – on rollerblades
cgtn.com
