Romania could reach some 1,000 km of highways be end-2017 if it manages to complete 260 km in 2016 and 2017, according to calculations made local News.ro, based on statements made by Catalin Homor, general manager of the National Highways Company CNADNR.

Romania currently has 733 km of highways, but this also includes the 22-km section of the Sibiu-Orastie motorway that was closed ten months after the inauguration due to structural problems, reports local Digi24. Work on this segment is to be completed in September this year.

One of the most important highways that could be completed by end-2017 is the Lugoj-Deva road, which has a length of 100 km. Work on this road has been delayed for several years because of difficulties in obtaining environmental permits for underground passes for bears, and for bat caves.

The sections 2, 3 and 4 of the 70-km Sebes-Turda highway might also be completed by the end of next year if no delays are registered. The three sections total 53 km.

A 47-km section of the Targu Mures- Campia Turzii highway could also be completed in 2017. In this case, work should start in September this year and last 12 months.

Other sections to be completed by end-2017 are the 30-km segment between Suplacu de Barcau and Bors, the 16.8-km Nadaselu – Mihaiesti section, and the 8.7-km Gilau - Nadaselu segment, all part of the Transylvania highway.

Data from the National Statistics Institute (INS), released in late April this year, showed that only 64 km of highways were finalized and opened for traffic in Romania last year, bringing the total highway network to 747 km.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com