Bratislava, on 18.12.2020

 

Divers managed to complete works on sealing of the intake structure of both lock of Gabčíkovo waterworks before the Christmas holiday. International water transport through Gabčíkovo waterworks will be thus operated without restrictions as of today, 18.12.2020 from 5 pm on.

 

Navigation through the Gabčíkovo weir had been cyclically interrupted due to upgrading works carried out under the European project “Upgrade of Gabčíkovo Locks“ since 28.9.2020. The operation was daily closed between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Completion of works was expected up to 17.1.2021.

 

Representatives of the European Commission appreciated the fast delivery of works and transparency of communication which, in their opinion, should be inspiring for other EU-Countries. They emphasized that good news like this one open Slovakia to further supports from European projects which will be submitted by our country.

 

Mr. Vladimír Kollár, Director General of VODOHOSPODÁRSKA VÝSTVBA, ŠTÁTNY PODNIK (VV, š. p.) is convinced that the wish shared by the European Commission, representatives of most important shipping companies and Ministry of Transport and Construction of the Slovak Republic, has come true: “I am happy that divers were able to finish sealing expension joints of the intake structure before the upcoming Christmas time. Thanks to their great work performance, navigation through the Gabčíkovo weir will be enabled without any closure of the left lock. Works in the depth of approximately 15 – 25 meters under water were extremely demanding due to the period of autumn-winter time, in which they were delivered, as well as due to the current pandemics. The works were absolutely necessary and present key activities of our upgrading project,“ said Mr. Vladimír Kollár and expressed his thankfulness to representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Construction of the Slovak Republic for the highly professional cooperation, as the Ministry ensured international communication and informed affected shipping companies in a timely manner.

 

Key activities carried out under the project “Upgrade of Gabčíkovo Locks“ are upgrade of upper and lower gates, innovation of filling and emptying system, underlay stabilization and creation of expert control system. The project has been co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility at the amount of 85 % (almost 123 million EUR without VAT).