Gov't takes direct control over A1 construction from GTC

The state promises to build it faster and cheaper. According to the Transport Ministry, by the end of 2010 the whole A1 motorway from Gdańsk to the Polish-Czech border will been ready. The cost per kilometer will be between EUR.4.6 and 5.2 million, while the cost of the Gdańsk-Grudziądz section by GTC has already cost EUR 5.6 million, while the cost of the next section Grudziądz-Toruń will grow to as much as EUR 7 million.GTC replies that it has the same works schedule as the state and adds that cost increase cannot be avoided due to 2km of bridges which have to be built in the next section. Civic Platform MEP, Janusz Lewandowski, expressed his concern about possible delays and judicial disputes that the recent state decision may bring about. He added that the decision complies with the general policy of the government which aims at gaining as much control as possible over the economy. (Gazeta Wyborcza, June 3-4, p. 29; Puls Biznesu, p. 9) J.L.