The opening of the Ružomberok bypass on the D1 motorway has not solved all the transport problems in the Lower Liptov region of northern Slovakia and, in some areas, has even made them worse.
After the opening of the D1 section between Hubová and Ivachnová (Hubová — Ivachnová), additional traffic has been diverted onto the I/18 road running through neighbouring settlements in Lower Liptov. Local residents complain about traffic jams, difficulties joining the main road and unsafe conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, Denník N reports.
The problem stems from the fact that the D1 motorway remains unfinished: the neighbouring section between Hubová and Turany has still not been built. As a result, drivers continuing their journey are forced to leave the motorway and travel part of the way on nearby roads.
The most difficult situation is in the settlements of Ľubochňa, Švošov, Stankovany, Hubová and Kraľovany. They are carrying traffic from unfinished motorway sections connecting routes towards Martin, Ružomberok and Dolný Kubín. According to estimates by local mayors, some sections of the road are used by 20,000–25,000 vehicles every day.
In Ľubochňa, mayor Peter Davidík has been going to a pedestrian crossing every morning since the beginning of the school year to help children get to school safely. The road is used not only by local pupils but also by children from neighbouring Stankovany and Švošov. Some residents also report the effects of constant heavy traffic — they say strong vibrations can be felt in houses close to the road.
Local authorities believe that the long-term solution is to build the missing motorway section between Turany and Hubová. It is supposed to connect the already completed sections of the D1 and divert through traffic away from the road running through the villages.
However, the project is complicated not only by the difficult terrain and the need to build tunnels, but also by environmental restrictions and protracted disputes over a tender worth approximately €1.5 billion. Preliminary estimates suggest that the missing D1 section could take between seven and 15 years to open.
