The Supreme Court confirmed a decision of the Trencin Regional Construction Office, according to which a highway is to be built above the town of Povazska Bystrica. One year ago, civil associations and citizens from Povazska Bystrica protested against the decision and filed a lawsuit at the Trencin regional court. In May 2006, the Trencin regional court dismissed their complaint and the dissatisfied citizens took the matter to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court confirmed the verdict of the regional court as factually correct. The verdict cannot be appealed. The activists are not ruling out the possibility of turning to the European court. The Supreme Court's verdict only represents the legal basis for the construction. In order for the highway above the town (which seems to be the most complicated part of the Sverepec -- Vrtizer highway stretch) to be constructed, a construction permit is necessary.
Activists proposed the construction of a highway tunnel around Povazska Bystrica. They pointed to results of an analysis examining the environmental impact of highways above towns. The analysis recommended a highway tunnel around the town of Povazska Bystrica, as well. Despite this, as activists pointed out, the construction authority opted for a highway leading above the town.
Transport Minister Lubomir Vazny said, during his working visit to Povazska Bystrica last year, that a highway leading above the town of Povazska Bystrica is the most advantageous and every other version of the highway route would prolong construction to six years.
The Sverepec -- Vrtizer highway stretch is to be 9,595 meters long. The project includes the construction of twenty bridges, overpasses, and demolition of 21 houses including the local police department building. The elevated highway approximately thirty meters above Povazska Bystrica will be 1,786 meters long. The project includes exchanging thousands of windows in residential houses within noise reduction measures.
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