Today, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Milan Šimonovský, met with the Premier (Hejtman) of the Ústí Region, Jiří Šulc; the Mayor of the City of Ústí nad Labem, Petr Gandalovič; the Deputy Mayor of Střeka, Pavel Boček; and other municipal politicians.  Their meetings revolved around the questions of the development of transport infrastructure in the Ústí Region, primarily the construction of the D-8 motorway, the renovation of the railway hub in Ústí nad Labem, and the improvement of the shipping conditions on the Elbe.

 

”The lack of money will not slow down the construction of the motorway, let alone stop it.  The Ústí Region may, aside from funds from the State Transport Infrastructure Fund, count on a loan from the European Investment Bank, in the amount of CZK 4.3 billion,” said Minister of Transport, Milan Šimonovský, at a press conference; he added that further funds from the European [Union] funds will bring another CZK 729 mil.

 

The Minister of Transport informed the Ústí politicians that the renovation of the Ústí nad Labem railway hub will be commenced later this year.  “We want Ústí nad Labem to have a railway station which would adequately serve this important European railway intersection; the State Transportation Infrastructure Fund has therefore set aside the amount of CZK 225 mil., this year,” added Milan Šimonovský.

 

Also the plan to improve conditions for the navigation of the lower reaches of the Elbe could finally come to be.  Minister Šimonovský reported that consensus has been reached with the Ministry of the Environment.  This new solution should consist of the building of the Děšín shipping locks, which will enable a year-round economical connection of the public port in Děčín, and other ports in the area, to the European waterway network, without significantly harming the environment.  The construction of one boat lock, including compensatory measures in the case of interference with the environment, will cost approximately CZK 3 million (plus VAT), and if the project is granted approval as to its impact on the environment (EIA), it may be co-financed from European sources.  The Minister expects construction work to start at the end of next year, and to be completed by the end of 2009.

 

This year, SFDI has set aside CZK 2.88 billion for the Ústí Region, planning to support 67 transportation projects in a total value of CZK 46.7 billion.  Most projects are related to the construction of the D-8 motorway and other roads (R7, I/7, I/8, I/28, I/13, I/62).  There are also 7 projects related to the reconstruction of railways and, apart from the issue of improvements to the conditions of navigation of the Elbe, there are also 7 water projects.