The last section of the D8 motorway opens for drivers, cutting the driving time to Dresden17/12/2016|Press releasesThe last missing section of the D8 motorway between Lovosice and Řehlovice will be opened for drivers on December 17. This completes the D8 motorway in its full length of 94 km and creates the second international motorway connection between Germany and the Czech Republic. RSD is opening this new section after the necessary construction works have been completed and road safety ensured. "I inherited the construction in such a challenging location from my predecessors and my job was to finish these works, so that drivers can finally and safely start using the motorway. The situation where transit traffic, including heavy trucks, passes through municipalities, is harmful to both residents and the environment. I hope the people will eventually breath a sign of relief after completion. We owed a modern connection between Prague and Dresden to the drivers, so I am very happy that we are keeping our pledge and opening the motorway by the deadlines indicated", said Dan Ťok, the minister of transportation. "When completed, the D8 motorway will reduce the traffic burden on adjacent lower category roads, make traffic smoother and increase safety. The average drive and travelling time will be reduced. Emissions and noise will also be reduced, which will be highly appreciated by residents living in the vicinity of the roads that currently substitute for the missing section of the D8 motorway," commented Jan Kroupa, RSD CEO. Due to the missing piece of the motorway, the bypass roads have been stretched to their limit. This has been causing an increased number of accidents. Heavy trucks sharing two-lane roads with passenger cars proved to be most risky. RSD open the Lovosice – Řehlovice section based on the preliminary use permit issued by the competent building departments based on positive statements from all authorities involved. An expert assessment of the slope stability in the wider environment of the motorway, including an opposing statement of the Czech Geological Survey, were among the documents submitted in seeking the permission. The landslide zone of Dobkovičky and the Prackovická estakáda area will be constantly monitored to ensure full motorway safety. The D8 motorway is an important artery road connecting Prague with Saxony and Berlin. On the national scale, it connects the capital city of Prague with the Central Bohemian agglomeration with an industrial area of North Bohemia – Ústí nad Labem, Teplice and Děčín, and with the Most and Chomutov regions through road I/13. The D8 motorway belongs to the TEN-T international network and is also part of the E55 international road from the Swedish city of Helsinborg through Denmark, Germany, Budweis, Austria to the Italian Trieste and continues along the Italian coast to the Greek city of Kalamata. The motorway is used by transit traffic bound for the south of Europe, heading to Eastern and Northern Germany and also for access to German ports on the Baltic Sea coast. D8 Lovosice - Řehlovice Main route: length: 16,413 m length of currently opened section: 12 km (overhead crossing Bílinka – overhead crossing Řehlovice) road category: D 27.5/120 road surface: 339,600 sqm number of civil structures: 265 contractor: Joint Venture D8 0805, SSŽ-MTS (EUROVIA CS, Metrostav, SMP CZ, Berger Bohemia) Price: CZK 10.5 billion (excl. VAT)