Minister Jernej Vrtovec on the Prevalja: Third development axis will be a key road project in the mandate, mayors have an ally

Minister for Infrastructure Jernej Vrtovec confirmed during a meeting with mayors in the Prevalje region that the third development axis will be a key road project within his mandate, spanning both northern and southern sections. The visit to the Koroska region was emphasized as crucial to accelerating all procedures related to the construction of the third development axis. The meeting with the mayors proved constructive, and they agreed to meet every two months. Together with Prevalje Mayor Matic Tasič, they outlined plans to ensure that local authorities have a reliable partner in the minister regarding adherence to deadlines set by contractors. Vrtovec also hinted at efforts to gain one, two, or three additional months to shift the start date of the third development axis’s construction from October 2029 to earlier in the year. The minister expressed concerns over the slow pace of proceedings against Dravograd, stating that our legislation does not protect strategic infrastructure projects but instead prioritizes individual interests over national ones. He noted that the approval process for the DPN (Development Plan Network) in this area has been excessively delayed, taking four to five years to secure space for the third development axis. This timeframe, he argued, is far too long given the urgent needs of communities and businesses along the route. In response to the mayors' calls for action, Vrtovec announced a further meeting with Environment and Spatial Planning Minister Polona Rifelj in September. When asked why progress on the third development axis has not yet materialized despite previous government promises dating back two decades, he responded that the current mandate will see the opening of the central section between Slovenj Gradec and Velenje, and he vowed to push for the opening of the Šentrupert-Velenje segment as well. However, he acknowledged that legal challenges remain, particularly with the administrative court, which he respects but expects to expedite rather than delay proceedings. On Tuesday, Vrtovec signed a protocol with eleven municipalities, Dobrepolje, Grosuplje, Ig, Kostel, Kočevje, Loški Potok, Osilnica, Ribnica, Sodražica, Škofljica, and Velike Lašče, along the 3.A Development Axis, outlining a framework for collaboration between the state and municipalities in preparing, aligning, and gradually implementing traffic-related projects between Ljubljana and Petrinja. “It is time to move things forward from dead ends,” he remarked during the signing ceremony. Construction of the third development axis, including the Konovo tunnel, has faced delays due to access issues. Local officials hope that these setbacks can be minimized moving forward. Vrtovec admitted that the administrative court has already intervened on the first phase of the Šentrupert-Velenje segment, acknowledging that while court decisions must be respected, he expects the judiciary to accelerate rather than hinder the process. He stressed that the strategic interest of the country lies in opening the Slovenj Gradec-Velenje section by 2029 and avoiding further delays. He pointed out that in Slovenia, anyone with just five minutes of free time can oppose what is strategically beneficial, highlighting the need for legislative reform that protects collective interests over partial ones. While the ministry cannot take responsibility for such laws, it will support mayors and other departments in addressing them, urging media to highlight the importance of strategic planning. Prevalje Mayor Tasič added that during their field visits, the group reviewed ongoing developments, examined existing plans, and assessed how realistically construction timelines could be shortened. The discussions underscored the urgency of advancing the project while ensuring alignment with legal requirements and community expectations.