Minister Gašperšič: Construction of Draženci-Gruškovje section continues

He was misunderstood at the hearing in the National Assembly

The motorway section to Gruškovje will be completed, yet with a delay of several months. Foto: BoBo

The motorway section to Gruškovje will be completed, yet with a delay of several months, assured Minister of Infrastructure. He claims that his statement that the project was not a priority was misunderstood.

During the hearing, as a candidate for ministerial position he saw no sense in construction of the Draženci-Gruškovje section, but this time during his visit in Podlehnik he assured that he only wished more substantial share of the European funds at financing the project. Thus Minister of Infrastructure Peter Gašperšič explanation speaks of a misunderstanding; his statement had made the mayors and inhabitants of the lower Podravje very angry.

"I would like to assure as much European funds as possible for the missing section. We have started examining the possibility, and would like to verify it at the European Commission. We are expecting a prompt answer, and immediately after receiving it the activities for construction of the section will continue," he explained his position to mayors and inhabitants of the region during his visit to Podlehnik.

It is not certain Brussels will grant additional funds
Minister also hopes the European co-financing will increase to even 85% of the project value. And if no additional funds are granted by Brussels? "The financial construction will remain as planned, in which the European funds are rather limited when the value of the project is considered. Its value is approximately 246 million euro, from which only 56 million of European funds, i.e. less than one quarter, which is a rather modest contribution. Therefore we would like to achieve more substantial co-financing, also based on the importance of this highway connection for Europe," Gašperšič added.

Slovenian Commissioner for Traffic
"At the appointment of the new Commissioner for Traffic (Violete Bulc) it was emphasized that European connections were a priority. We welcome the initiative of the Ministry of Infrastructure, which will try to enter this project high onto the list of priorities. This change in financing would bring less financial exposure for Dars, which would be of utmost importance for the company," Matjaž Knez, the leading person of Dars, said after the meeting.

Danijel Poslek, Radio Slovenija
Translated by G. K.