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According to sources, the Transport, Construction and Regional Development Ministry of Slovakia has shortlisted four teams for the D4 - R7 expressways PPP project.

The shortlisted companies are the following:

• Vinci;
• Strabag;
• Porr; and
• Hochtief

The 60 km road project involves the development of a section of the D4 highway set to form the Bratislava bypass, along with the sections of the R7 expressway. The new bypass is expected to reduce freight transport transiting through the city by 9 percent.

The total project investment is estimated at €1.3 billion (US$1.59 billion). 

Construction works are set to begin next year and the road is expected to be operational by 2019.

A consortium composed of PwC, White & Case and the Obermeyer Corporate Group is advising  the government on the PPP project.

The new road will be Slovakia's second-ever PPP project. The first PPP project to be awarded was the R1 Expressway project between Nitra and Banská Bystrica. A consortium of Vinci Concessions and Meridiam Infrastructure is the sponsor of the project.

Slovakia's federal government has plans to invest US$638 million in motorways in 2015, which is about 16% lower than the government had budgeted.

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 500,000 is the country's largest city. It is in southwestern Slovakia, bordering Austria and Hungary.

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