Are highways finally being built in the southern regions?

Differences and Development Challenges of Slovak and Hungarian Motorways Driving on motorways, it is immediately apparent how different the traffic situation is in Hungary and Slovakia.

While traffic jams are common in Hungary due to transit traffic, in Slovakia, outside of peak periods, the roads are much less crowded. However, the simple answer is misleading, as the Slovak highway network is still incomplete in many places.

New Roads and Other Changes A positive step in Slovakia is the introduction of the one-day highway sticker, which gives drivers the opportunity to choose the highway for one trip at a time. This is due to the decision of the European Parliament in 2022, according to which the sticker is valid until midnight on that day, rather than for 24 hours from the date of purchase.

Government Promises and Investments The government has announced several promising projects in the area of ​​infrastructure investments, including the continuation of the R7 road and the development of the Komárom-Pozsony railway line. The continuation of the R7 road with the involvement of Chinese investors is already in an advanced position. This road would be particularly important from the point of view of the economic development of the Dunaszerdahely and Érsekújvár districts.

The projects on the government's strategic investment list mostly focus on areas inhabited by Slovaks, but developments can also take place in the south, for example around Gömör and Kassa. #### Skepticism About Implementation Despite political promises and plans, implementation can still be difficult. Even if the political will is there, building the right infrastructure is a serious challenge, especially for the cities of the Csallóköz.

The connection between infrastructural developments and the lack of economic growth is clear: without the development of the road network, the differences between regions will only continue to grow, and economic development may also stall.