Via Salis

Via Salis is a Czech infrastructure company that serves as the concessionaire for the D4 motorway PPP (Public Private Partnership) project between Příbram and Písek. It is the first project of its kind in the Czech Republic, in which a private partner finances, builds, and then operates a section of motorway on behalf of the state. The company's name, meaning "Salt Route" in Latin, refers to the medieval trade route known as the Salt Trail (also called the Golden or Passau Trail) that once linked Prague with Passau and along which salt and other goods were transported. The modern D4 motorway follows part of that historic corridor. The project involves the construction of 32 kilometres of new motorway and the widening of 16 kilometres of existing road to four lanes. Construction began in 2021 and the completed D4 highway was opened on 17 December 2024. The work was divided into several sections, including Háje–Milín, Milín–Lety, Lety–Čimelice, Čimelice–Mirotice, and the Mirotice extension. The project included the demolition and reconstruction of numerous bridges, the construction of new interchanges, and the creation of service areas such as Krsice. Via Salis is headquartered in Prague at Coral Office Park C, Bucharova 2657/12, 158 00 Praha 13 – Stodůlky. The company manages the PPP contract, which covers both the construction and the subsequent operation and maintenance of the motorway for a defined concession period. The project is a partnership between the public sector (the Czech state, represented by the Ministry of Transport and the Road and Motorway Directorate) and private investors. The company's website provides information about the project, its history, technical data, and the PPP model. As a corporate entity, Via Salis is a private company. Its shareholders are not detailed in the provided evidence, but the company is the special purpose vehicle created to deliver the D4 PPP. The project is significant as a pilot for the PPP model in Czech transport infrastructure, and its success may influence future infrastructure delivery in the country.

Via Salis was established as the special purpose vehicle for the Czech Republic's first PPP (Public Private Partnership) motorway project. The project concerns the D4 motorway between Příbram and Písek, a route that follows part of the historic Salt Trail (Via Salis), a medieval trade route connecting Prague with Passau. The name Via Salis was chosen to evoke this historical link. The PPP model was selected to deliver the motorway, with the private partner responsible for financing, construction, and subsequent operation and maintenance. The contract covers 32 kilometres of new motorway and the widening of 16 kilometres of existing road to four lanes. Construction began in 2021 and was divided into several sections: Section No. 2 (Háje–Milín), Section No. 3 (Milín–Lety), Section No. 4 (Lety–Čimelice), Section No. 5 (Čimelice–Mirotice), and Section No. 6 (Mirotice extension). Works included the demolition of existing bridges, construction of new bridges, new interchanges, and service areas such as Krsice. The completed D4 highway was opened on 17 December 2024. The project is a partnership between the Czech state (represented by the Ministry of Transport and the Road and Motorway Directorate) and private investors. Via Salis manages the concession and is headquartered in Prague. The company's website provides detailed information about the project's history, technical data, and the PPP model. As of the evidence, the company is active and the motorway is in operation.

• Construction of D4 motorway PPP project begins, with sections No. 2 to No. 6 starting in 2021.

• D4 highway opened on 17 December 2024.

First PPP motorway project in the Czech Republic, combining construction and long-term operation of the D4 highway.

• D4 motorway PPP concession

  32 km of new motorway and 16 km of widened existing road between Příbram and Písek, including construction, operation, and maintenance.

1. 1Via Salis official websiteviasalis.cz
2. 2Via Salis About Usviasalis.cz
3. 3Via Salis About the Projectviasalis.cz
4. 4Wikidata entry for Via Saliswikidata.org