Via Pribina

Via Pribina: Modern Highway Via Pribina is Slovakia’s first public–private partnership of its kind, delivered 15 years ago through a collaboration between VINCI Highways (a subsidiary of VINCI Concessions), Meridiam, and the Slovak Ministry of Transport. Now fully operated and maintained by Via Pribina Operations, it remains one of Europe’s fastest-built infrastructures, with the first 45 km completed in just two years. It is a public-private partnership project using the DCFOM: Design, Construction, Finance, Operation, and Maintenance model. The expressway is part of an important European corridor connecting Vienna with Ukraine. Spanning 51.6 km and crossing more than 70 bridges, it offers not only a comfortable drive but also scenic views. Safety improvements have been substantial, and since the opening of Via Pribina, the old Zlatomoravecká road has achieved an 80% reduction in accidents. To ensure uninterrupted, high-quality service, Via Pribina Operations runs a 24/7 Operations and Maintenance Centre covering m² and staffed by 50 professionals. Road availability exceeded 99% in 2022, supported by a nonstop SOS line and 35 CCTV cameras. At critical intersections in Banská Bystrica, AI-powered object-recognition counter-flow cameras have prevented more than 80 potentially dangerous contraflows in the past two years. Sustainability is woven into the highway’s operation. LED lighting and 96 photovoltaic panels have cut electricity use at the Operations Centre by half. The project also supports local beekeepers with over 80 beehives and continues expanding its wild meadows in partnership with WWF. Via Pribina Foundation plays an important social role in the local communities. It supports non-profits across Slovakia, with a focus on social inclusion, education, health, and helping vulnerable groups. Through regular grant calls, the Foundation provides funding and extends the project’s positive impact far beyond the expressway itself.