Approximately 150 kilometres in the Prešov Region should reach the international route for cyclists Eurovelo 11. It is being intensively worked on. Many sections are currently subject to zoning decisions or building permits. Next year, the completion of the cycle path to Šarišské Michaliany is also planned. Despite the missing sections, the entire route is already marked with information boards.
The construction of the Eurovelo 11 international cycle route is progressing. However, it is still more than halfway to completion. Although the regional self-government is neither the investor nor the builder of the individual sections, it intensively supports the network of long-distance cycle routes.
"The Prešov Region provides the professional capacities of three cycle coordinators who help municipalities to deal with the agenda in the processes of project preparation, construction proceedings or property settlement, through the Call for the Region grant scheme. So far, we have provided towns and municipalities with a subsidy of almost 182 thousand euros, other costs for the construction of the cycle path are covered by the local governments from their own and European funds," said Milan Majerský, the chairman of the Prešov Self-Governing Region, in this context.
At present, the section from Prešov to Šarišské Michaľany, which runs through the cadastral territory of Veľký Šariš, has been completed. The missing part from Šarišské Michaliany to Sabinov is currently replaced by a detour route through Ostrovany and Ražňany. However, work is already underway to complete the cycle path.
"Currently, we are waiting for the signing of the contract for the financing of this important section, which will connect the existing sections between Veľký Šariš and the part of Sabinov, Orkucany. The process of selecting a construction contractor is underway. We expect construction to start in March next year at the earliest," stated Viera Štupáková, the PSK cycle coordinator, who has extensive experience in building similar cycle paths throughout the region.
As she said , this year a part of the cycle route was added in Pečovská Nová Ves. It should be connected to other villages in the Sabinov district. Currently, a building permit has been issued and a subsidy application is being prepared for the municipalities of Červenica (1139 m), Jakubova Voľa (1465 m), Rožkovany (2515 m with two footbridges) and Lipany (1270 m with one footbridge).
A zoning permit has been issued for the cycle route in Krivany (3924 m with two footbridges), but the construction of the section is still blocked by the settlement with the land owners. The Torysa municipality (2776 m with one footbridge) should start the process of construction proceedings in the next few days, Šarišské Dravce (4105 m with one footbridge) and Krásna Lúka (3554 m) are starting the process of property settlement of the land. The same scenario awaits the village of Bajerovce (5943 m with one footbridge).
Eurovelo 11 should continue in the Stará Ľubovňa district, the connection is missing for now. The sections Plavnica - Údol - Orlov and Šambron - Novoľubovnianske kúpele currently have only a feasibility study and a selected route corridor. The section Stará Ľubovňa - Chmeľnica is in the project preparation, on the contrary, other sections in the villages Legnava state border, Malý Lipník, Sulín and Mníšek nad Popradom are already implemented.
"The construction of EuroVelo 11 is one of the cycling priorities of our region because it connects the area with the highest number of inhabitants. For this reason, the Prešov Self-Governing Region is investing funds for project preparation section of the cycle route in the direction of Prešov - Košice and will thus support the project readiness for other investment projects of a public utility nature," added Milan Majerský, the chairman of the PSK, adding that the region plans to allocate EUR 100 thousand for the project preparation of this section.
When completed, the entire route in the Prešov Region should be approximately 150 kilometres long. It will pass through the villages: Mníšek nad Popradom, Sulín, Malý Lipník, Legnava, Údol, Plavnica, Šambron, Bajerovce, Krásna Lúka, Šarišské Dravce, Torysa, Krivany, Lipany, Rožkovany, Jakubova Voľa, Červenica, Pečovská Nová Ves, Sabinov, Ražňany, Ostrovany, Šarišské Michaľany, Veľký Šariš, Prešov, Haniska, Kendice, Drienovská Nová Ves, Ličartovce, Obišovce, Janovík, Bretejovce, Seniakovce.
"The route runs along the constructed sections of EuroVela 11, along Class III roads, dirt roads and on the so-called detour routes. Already now the entire planned cycle path from Prešov to Mníšek nad Poprad is marked with cycling signs and information boards. Cyclists can therefore ride the entire route today," said Martin Janoško, director of the Regional Tourism Organisation North-East of Slovakia.
When fully completed, Eurovelo 11 will run through eleven countries and six major cities from the northern cape of Norway - Nordkapp - to the Greek capital, Athens. The length of the route is 6,550 kilometres.
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