The Romanian Government will this week discuss a project for the Iasi – Campia Turzii highway, which should be built by the country's Transport Ministry under public – private partnership, with a EUR 4 billion price tag. Initially the highway was supposed to connect Iasi to Targu Mures, but its path was changed so as to connect with the Transylvania highway.

“We've talked to several international financing institutions, including the European Investments Bank EIB and the World Bank, and there is also interest from some companies. The procedure is not simple, as we haven't done anything like this under public – private partnership in Romania, but it is my ambition to show it can be started during my mandate,” said Transport Minister Relu Fenechiu.

The exact route of the future 370 kilometer highway will be left for the winning construction company to decide, while the ministry will only emphasize on certain intermediary points where the highway must pass.

Romania is currently tendering two other future highway contracts: Craiova- Pitesti – some 121 km, and Comarnic – Brasov, some 55 km. The deadline for applications for the first is May 8, while for the second, Chinese company China Communication Construction, as well as local construction companies Spedition UMB and Tehnostrade, along with foreign construction firms Vinci, Strabag and Aktor, and Impregilo and Salini have submitted offers .

Both foreign investors and European Union representatives have been stressing the need for Romania to improve its infrastructure. The country only inaugurated 140 kilometers of highway in 2012, bringing the total to some 529 kilometers of highway across the country.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Google Maps)