The Dálnice D4 is the first PPP project in the Czech Republic realized in such a form. The state doesn't have to cover the highway construction and maintenance all at once but can do so gradually over 25 years. 'It's like leasing a car. If you have cash, you can pay upfront, or you can decide to spread the expenses over time.'
After 25 years, we will return the highway to the state, meeting specified technical standards,” explained Borovka. This model is advantageous because it allows the state to invest in other areas such as education and healthcare. The total construction cost was approximately 11.5 billion CZK, and the project includes the construction of 32 kilometers of new highway and the renovation of 16.5 kilometers of road sections. 'The state will repay approximately 1.3 billion CZK annually, which includes the costs of operation, maintenance, and financing,' said Borovka. One key element of this PPP project is quality, but speed is also an essential aspect of the execution. 'The financial institutions supporting these initiatives pressure us to ensure efficient and timely implementation. Additionally, we have an obligation to keep the highway in a passable condition because our payments depend on motorists being able to use the road section without issues,' he elaborated.
The highway's safety is monitored by 195 cameras capable of identifying problems on the road. 'The primary task of the cameras is to enhance traffic safety. For example, if a vehicle breaks down, the system immediately alerts the dispatcher, who can assess and manage the situation right away,' stated Borovka. Although the cameras are technically capable of measuring speed, Borovka emphasized, 'I am currently unaware of designated sections, and we haven't ordered related signs.' According to current regulations, the maximum allowed speed on the new road section is expected to be 130 km/h. 'We must acknowledge that the highway in its current form is already designed and constructed. If we wanted to change it to 150 km/h, this should have been introduced three years earlier. It involves safety issues and respecting the correct curves. I believe it’s too late to initiate this debate. There are sections where it could be feasible, but the final decision lies with the Ministry of Transport and requires approval from the Czech Police,' said the director of Vinci Construction. Regarding the payment system, the state will collect classic tolls from trucks and sell e-vignettes. 'For the average user, there will not be a significant difference between state roads and the privately-owned highway,' he added.
