The contract for the construction of the first subway line in Cluj-Napoca, in Romania’s Transylvania region, was signed on Thursday, May 25, transport minister Sorin Grindeanu announced. The turnkey project has a value of over RON 9 billion (some EUR 1.8 billion), without VAT, and is partly financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

The authorities announced in late February that the consortium made up of Gulemark-Alstom-Arcada is the winner of the tender to build Cluj-Napoca’s subway Line 1. Alstom said in a press release that its contract share reaches approximately EUR 400 million.

The new line, to be completed in 8 years, will cover a total of 21 kilometres and 19 underground stations.

According to transport minister Grindeanu, nine stations and a depot will be built in the first stage (through PNRR), over a distance of 9.16 km, with August 2026 as the deadline. The second stage, financed by the Ministry of Transport, includes the construction of another ten stations on the routes Tara Motilor - Sfanta Maria (7 stations, 8.80 km) and Piata Marasti - Muncii (3 stations, 3.07 km).

The subway in Cluj-Napoca is the only such project outside Bucharest. It is seen as a significant step towards reducing congestion and improving transportation in the region.

irina.marica@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Facebook/Emil Boc)