Romanian Motorways Review - Q1 2021
(c) 130km.ro / 03 April 2021
No new motorways or expressways were opened in Romania in the first quarter of 2021. The status and the most recent news for each Romanian motorway and expressway are listed below.
A0 MOTORWAY (Bucharest Ringroad)
Contractors selected and contracts signed for all three sections of the Southern part of the motorway, with a total lenth of 50.8km and opening dates in 2023. Works in progress for the first two, and works estimated to start for the third one in May 2021 after some delays. For the Northern part of the motorway there is a contract signed for section 4 (4.5km, opening date in 2023), while for the other three sections contracts signing is in progress, with the procedure for some of theem being contested (total length of 45.1km, opening dates in 2024).
A1 MOTORWAY (Bucharest - Nadlac)
On A1 section Bucharest - Pitesti is opened to traffic (109.6km). On the next section, Pitesti - Sibiu, there are contracts signed and works in progress for segment 1 Sibiu - Boita (14.2km, opening date in 2023) and segment 5 Curtea de Arges - Pitesti (30.4km, opening date in 2025). Tenders in progress for the remaining three sections on the route Boita - Cornetu - Tigveni - Curtea de Arges, with a total length of 79.5km. A contractor was selected for section 4 but the procedure was challenged. A new segment 6 Tigveni - Ramnicu Valcea, of 23km, could be added in the future.
Sibiu ringorad (17.6km) is opened to traffic, as are the following sections, Sibiu - Orastie (82.2km) and Orastie - Deva (32.5km). The following section, Lugoj - Deva, is open with the exception of 13.2km on segment 2 (Cosevita - Margina), which could be opened in a few years. Authorities have reached an agreement with the contractor for moving forward the tender process for the missing section (length of Lugoj - Deva segment which is open: 86.3km).
The other sections on A1, Lugoj - Timisoara (35.1km), Timisoara - Arad and Arad ringorad (41.0km) and Arad - Nadlac (38.9km) are also open to traffic. Thus, the only missing link on the entire Sibiu - Nadlac route is the 13.2km stretch between Cosevita and Margina (parte of Lugoj - Deva segment 2).
A2 SUN MOTORWAY (Bucharest - Constanta)
Open to traffic (202.8km).
A3 TRANSYLVANIA MOTORWAY (Bucharest - Bors)
First section, Bucharest - Ploiesti (65.2km), is open to traffic. On the following section, Ploiesti - Brasov, the route Rasnov - Cristian (6.3km) is open; there are no other routes that are open or under construction on this section, but a new contract for update of the feasibility study was signed in February 2021.
Section Brasov - Targu Mures is dropped from official plans and was replaced with the A10 Sebes - Turda motorway. The status of segments on the next section, Targu Mures - Gilau, is as follows: Targu Mures - Ungheni (4.5km) under construction with opening date in 2021; Ungheni - Ogra (10.1km) open; Ogra - Iernut (3.6km) open; Iernut - Chetani (17.9km) open; Chetani - Campia Turzii (15.7km) contract canceled in March 2021 due to lack of progress, but cancelation was challenged (the opening date was set for 2021); Campia Turzii - Gilau (51.7km) open.
On the last section, Gilau - Bors, status is as follow: Gilau - Nadaselu (9.5km) open; Nadaselu - Mihaiesti (16.8km) under construction with opening date in 2023; Mihaiesti - Zimbor (13.3km) under construction, opening date in 2023; Zimbor - Poarta Salajului (13.3km) under construction, opening date in 2023; Poarta Salajului - Zalau (15.14km) and Zalau - Nusfalau (25.84km) being tendered; Nusfalau - Suplacu de Barcau (13.6km) under construction, opening date in 2022; Suplacu de Barcau - Chiribis (26.4km) being tendered; Chiribis - Biharia (28.9km) under construction, opening date in 2022; Biharia - Bors (5.4km) open.
A4 MOTORWAY (Constanta Ringroad)
Open to traffic (21.8km).
A6 SOUTH MOTORWAY (Lugoj - Calafat)
The only section open to traffic is Balint - Lugoj ringroad (10.5km); no plans in place for additional routes on this motorway.
A7 MOTORWAY (Ploiesti - Pascani)
A part of Bacau ringroad (16.3km) was opened to traffic in December 2020. The remaining sections are currently being planned.
A10 MOTORWAY (Sebes - Turda)
Sections opened to traffic on A10 are segment 3 (Aiud - Decea, 12.5km), segment 4 (Decea - Turda, 16.3km) and a part of segment 1 (Sebes - Paraul Iovului, 14,8km open). The remaining part of segment 1 (2.2km) and segment 2 (Paraul Iovului - Aiud, 24.3km) are scheduled for opening in 2021.
A11 MOTORWAY (ARAD - ORADEA)
On A11 a contract was signed in August 2020 for the connection between Oradea and A3 Motorway at Bors (estimated opening date: 2023). A 3.5km stretch between Oradea and A3 motorway in the Arad area is open.
DX12 EXPRESWAY (CRAIOVA - PITESTI)
Work in progress for all four sections of DX12 expressway Craiova - Pitesti, the first expressway under construction in Romania: Craiova - Robanesti (17.7km) and Robanesti - Slatina (39.9km) with opening dates in 2021 and Slatina - Colonesti (31.8km) and Colonesti - Pitesti (31.8km) with opening dates in 2023 (for section Colonesti - Pitesti the contract allocation procedure may be repeated).
DX6 EXPRESWAY (BRAILA - GALATI) AND BRAILA BRIDGE
Signing of contract for the DX6 expressway (12.3km) is in progress after contractor selection in September 2020 (selection process was challenged). Completion of works is etimated fo 2023. The route connects to a bridge over the Danube between Braila and Smardan in Tulcea County which is under construction. This is one of the most important infrastructure projects in Romania (the bridge is not part of the Braila - Galati expressway). Opening of the bridge is scheduled for 2022.
OTHER PROJECTS
Planned Targu Mures - Iasi - Ungheni motorway: tender in progress for update of feasibility study for section Targu Mures - Targu Neamt; a contractor was selected for update of the feasibility study on the Targu Neamt - Ungheni section. Update of feasibility studies in progress for planned motorways Sibiu - Brasov, Brasov - Bacau and Timisoara - Moravita.
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