The Government will launch public tenders to select the contractors for three major infrastructure projects this year, namely the Sibiu-Pitesti highway, the Craiova-Pitesti express road, and the subway line that will connect Bucharest’s main train station to the airport in Otopeni, governmental sources told local Mediafax.

The Sibiu-Pitesti highway and the express road connecting Pitesti and Craiova are two of the main requests made by Dacia-Renault and Ford, two of the biggest companies in the local economy. The two groups say they need better infrastructure so that their local car factories remain competitive.

The Sibiu-Pitesti highway will have five segments, and the tenders for the construction of segments I and V will take place in May-June, as the feasibility studies are ready. Another segment (IV) will be auctioned at the end of this year, and the tenders for the last two segments (II and III) will take place next year.

The highway, whose cost is estimated at some EUR 1.8 billion, is financed with EU funds.

The tender for the Craiova-Pitesti express road will also take place this year with the construction work expected to start in 2018. This project is also financed with EU funds.

The third big infrastructure project for which the Government may start the tender this year is the subway line connecting Bucharest’s main train station (Gara de Nord) to the Henri Coanda International Airport in Otopeni. This project is estimated at some EUR 1.1 billion and will also benefit from EU financing.

editor@romania-insider.com