Romanian Motorways Update - Q1 2014
30 March 2014. (c) 130km.ro.
The first quarter of 2014 was mostly uneventful for Romania's motorway projects; no new motorway segments were opened during this period. Find below a review of relevant news for each Romanian motorway project.
I. A1 MOTORWAY (Bucharest - Nadlac)
Pitesti - Sibiu: There was heated debate on this stretch of motorway. Initially announced as low priority for the Government, this segment is once again on its agenda after intense pressure from companies and the public. According to most recent available infomration, works should start in 2015 with the opening date estimated as "2020 or earlier".
Orastie - Sibiu: After three segments on this section were opened at the end of 2014, 2014 brought some bad news for the last remaining segment under construction: the contract with the existing contractor will be canceled due to disagreements regarding technical solutions for landslides on this segment; a new contractor will be selected, pushing the opening date to 2015.
Deva - Lugoj: No major news on this section. Some discussions were raised on the planned route for segments 2-4 which are under construction, and which bypass the cities of Deva and Hunedoara. Estimated opening date remains in 2015.
Lugoj - Timisoara: Work on segment 2 of this section was started in 2014; the good news is that opening date was pushed back from 2015 to 2014. Authorities are looking for a way to prioritize opening of a stretch on Segment 2 of Lugoj - Timisoara, so that the last remaining 10km of Deva - Lugoj segment 1 (finalised but without an access road) will be opened.
Arad - Nadlac: Work on segment 1 was resumed after appointing a new contractor lasst year, but no contractor was appointed for segment 2 after the contract with Alpine was canceled. Opening date remains end-year 2014.
II. A3 MOTORWAY (Bucharest - Bors)
Bucharest - Ploiesti: After some initial good news regarding the 6.5 km still under contruction (i.e. pushing back the opening date from "2014-2015" to 2014), in March it was announced the the existing contract could be canceled.
Ploiesti - Brasov: Comarnic-Brasov, the most eagerly awaited motorway section in Romania was delayed slightly, after the contract signing date was pushed from April to "May or June"; the delay was due to (successfully) finalizing negotiations with financing institutions. Opening date was pushed from 2016 (initial estimates) to 2017. For the Ploiesti - Comarnic section existing road will be expanded to motorway standards, it was announced.
Brasov - Targu Mures: No news on this section.
Targu Mures - Gilau: Some good news for this section: works will resume on the stretch between Ogra and Campia Turzii, with estimated opening date in 2015.
Gilau - Bors: Start of works for the 8.7km stretch between Cluj Vest and Nadaselu was announced. Opening date remains 2015.
III. A10 MOTORWAY (Sebes - Turda)
No significant news on this project. Challenges to awards for this project are still ongoing. Opening dates in 2015 for all 4 segments.
III. OTHER PROJECTS
Targu Mures - Iasi: According to most recent news, this project is no longer a priority for the forseeable future.
Craiova - Pitesti: According to most recent news, the contract for this motorway will be awarded in July.
Sibiu - Brasov: The importance of this project in the national motorway strategy was restated, but no steps were taken for its implementation.
Other proposals: New proposals discussed in the past three months for motorways Braila - Buzau and Brasov - Bacau.
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