STRABAG has been awarded the €194 million contract to deliver the final missing section of Slovenia’s 3rd Development Axis—a strategically important north–south corridor connecting Austria to Croatia. While the Lot A Velenje expressway package measures just over 2 km on paper, its underground scope is what makes it a defining assignment for the contractor.

A Short Section with Serious Subsurface Engineering

More than half of the alignment is underground. The Lot A package includes:

• 1.1 km of tunnels
• A 552 m viaduct
• A railway underpass and temporary rail diversion
• Multiple interchanges, junctions, and noise‑mitigation structures

For a corridor of this length, the density of interfaces is unusually high. Tunnelling, rail works, and elevated structures all converge within a tight footprint—exactly the kind of environment where sequencing, logistics, and geotechnical control determine success.

Tunnelling at the Core of the Contract

The tunnel works form the backbone of the section. Although the Slovenian authorities have not publicly detailed the excavation method for this lot, previous phases on the corridor—including the nearby Konovo Tunnel—have relied on conventional NATM techniques adapted to the region’s mixed geology.

Given the project’s proximity to live rail infrastructure and urbanised areas, the Lot A tunnels will require:

• Careful control of settlement
• Phased excavation and support
• Close monitoring of groundwater behaviour
• Precise interface management with the viaduct and underpass structures

These are the types of tunnelling environments where contractor experience is not just beneficial—it is decisive.

STRABAG’s Continuity Advantage

STRABAG enters Lot A with a 60% share and a strong operational foothold. The company recently completed Lots B and H of the same corridor, as well as the Konovo Tunnel. That continuity gives the team a real edge:

• Local ground knowledge built from adjacent works
• Established supply chains and logistics routes
• Stakeholder familiarity with municipalities and rail operators
• Permitting and environmental rhythms already understood

In linear infrastructure, staying embedded in a corridor often matters more than headline‑grabbing megaproject credentials.

A Strategic Link in a Larger European Corridor

The 3rd Development Axis is more than a national expressway. It is part of a broader EU‑supported effort to strengthen north–south mobility between Austria and Croatia. Once complete, the corridor is expected to reshape freight flows, improve regional accessibility, and reduce pressure on existing road networks.

Lot A is the final missing link in the northern section—meaning its delivery will unlock full continuity for the Velenje–Slovenj Gradec stretch.

40 Months to Deliver Under Real‑World Constraints

Construction begins immediately, with a planned duration of around 40 months. The schedule is ambitious given the underground complexity and the need to maintain rail operations during the temporary diversion works.

Below is a clean, verified, citation‑backed timeline of the tenders and awards associated with the 3rd Development Axis – Northern Corridor (Velenje–Slovenj Gradec), Lot A – Velenje, based on all publicly available information surfaced through the search results.
This is written in a tunnelbuilder‑friendly format, with emphasis on procurement sequencing and contract award clarity.

Tender & Award Timeline – Slovenia’s 3rd Development Axis (Lot A – Velenje)

Below is a consolidated timeline of the procurement process leading to STRABAG’s €194M award for the final missing link of the Northern Corridor.

 2025 – EU Funding Confirmed for Adjacent Lots (B & H)

Although not directly part of Lot A, this funding milestone is important because it signals the Slovenian government’s commitment to the corridor and precedes the Lot A tender.

• 5 August 2025 – Slovenia’s Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development approves €45 million in EU funding for the 3rd Development Axis, specifically for Lot B – Škalsko Lake and Lot H – Konovo.
• These lots were already under construction by STRABAG, forming the continuity basis for their later Lot A bid.

Late 2025 – Tender Preparation & Procurement Phase (Lot A)

While the search results do not provide an explicit publication date for the Lot A tender, the following facts are clear:

• Lot A was procured by DARS d.d., Slovenia’s national motorway company.
• The tender must have been issued before early 2026, as the award was announced in March 2026.

Based on typical DARS procurement cycles and the confirmed award date, the tendering period likely occurred in Q3–Q4 2025, but this is an inference—not explicitly stated in the sources.

March 2026 – Contract Award to STRABAG Consortium

This is the first fully confirmed and dated milestone for Lot A.

24 March 2026 – Official Award Announcement

• STRABAG d.o.o., leading a consortium, is awarded the €194 million contract for Lot A – Velenje, the final missing section of the 3rd Development Axis.
• STRABAG holds a 60% share of the joint venture.
• The contract includes:
• 2.1 km expressway
• 1,120 m of cut‑and‑cover tunnels and caissons
• 552 m viaduct
• 231 m railway underpass
• 280 m temporary rail diversion
• Interchanges, junctions, noise barriers, and utility works
• Construction is scheduled to last ~40 months, beginning March 2026.

25 March 2026 – Secondary Press Confirmation

• EuropaWire publishes a parallel confirmation of the award, reiterating the contract value, scope, and timeline.

For further information on the project please click here for the tunnelbuilder archives. 14/26.