Duna Aszfalt, a leading Hungarian motorway construction company, is making waves in the international arena once again. This time, the spotlight shines on Slovakia, where Duna Aszfalt has secured a significant contract as part of a consortium. The consortium, comprising Váhostav a.s. from Slovakia, Metrostav DS a.s. from the Czech Republic, and Duna Aszfalt itself, has been awarded the prestigious task of constructing a 5.3-kilometer section of the D3 motorway in the northern region of Slovakia.
The D3 motorway holds immense strategic importance, connecting the city of Žilina with the Polish border, where it seamlessly integrates with the Polish S1 motorway. This connection is a vital component of the European road network. The Kysuce region, a bustling hub with over 20,000 vehicles passing through daily, including a substantial number of trucks, underscores the urgency of this expansion project.
The construction challenge is twofold. Firstly, it involves the creation of a 600-meter-long tunnel parallel to the existing Horelica tunnel, which has been operational since 2004. This tunnel will serve as the second half of a crucial tunnel pair. Secondly, the project encompasses the construction of 21 bridges, 31 noise barriers, a wildlife overpass, a motorway service area, and a new administration and maintenance center for the motorway.
This contract in Slovakia is a testament to the growing international footprint of Duna Aszfalt, a subsidiary of the Duna Group. The group has strategically expanded its presence in the region over the years. In late 2024, they acquired the Mota-Engil Central Europe Group in Poland, and in February 2025, they took over Euro Strada SRL in Romania. However, the company’s most significant expansion is taking place in Africa, as reported by Világgazdaság. The GED Africa project, implemented through the subsidiary GED Africa Limited, aims to build a new road between Kasomeno in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mwenda in Zambia. This investment holds global trade policy significance, aiming to create the shortest possible transport route for mining products and goods from Congo and Zambia to the Indian Ocean in Tanzania, thereby boosting the efficiency of world trade.
In a separate development, Strabag, another prominent construction company, is facing an ultimatum and an extraordinary audit amid a dispute over the M30 motorway. The Ministry of Construction and Transport may consider legal action if the company continues to fail in fulfilling its contractual obligations. This situation highlights the complexities and challenges within the construction industry, where companies must navigate international contracts, technical challenges, and the ever-present pressure to meet deadlines and contractual obligations.