A formal ceremony marked the end of excavation works on the second tube of the Karavanke tunnel. Government officials attended the ceremony. PM Robert Golob said breaking through one of the longest mountain ranges in Europe was more than symbolic, labeling it as a state-building act for the nation. He also praised the Turkish contractor Cengiz for meeting the deadlines despite all the challenges.
The Minister of Infrastructure Alenka Bratušek reminded of the long delays and traffic jams on that section and said she was happy with the breakthrough, only wishing it would have happened earlier.
The Karavanke tunnel is a key border crossing with Austria and is an important transport route between western and south-eastern Europe. The new tube of the Karavanke tunel is to be ready for traffic towards the end of next year.