The construction of the R1 expressway linking Nitra and Zlate Moravce in Slovakia is expected to cost between €3.98bn and €4.16bn, $50m more than originally thought according to a report on worldhighways.com.

The government had initially priced the project at €3.47bn within 30 years when it was arranged with a private investor.

The project, being carried out by ABN Amro and Vinci Concessions, will be financed by public private partnership and will include 12km of highways and express roads.

Slovakia plans to complete and open 30km of motorways and express roads worth €174.6m during 2009.