The consortium made of Strabag and Straco will build the Deva – Orastie highway, after the challenges submitted following the bid have been rejected. The consortium has already signed the contract with the state. Strabag and Straco have filed an offer of EUR 179 million.

This is a project financed through European funds and is part of the IV European highway lane. The approved financing for this project, of EUR 200 million, is valid only until the end of 2010. If the state hadn't signed the contract with the construction companies this year, it would have lost the financing, according to transport minister Radu Berceanu.

Construction works will start in spring next year.

The bid for this highway segment was canceled in fall last year following contestations. The construction contract was supposed to be signed in December last year, after the Transport Ministry had signed a contract with Louis Berger in 2006 for technical assistance. This assistance contract was worth EUR 597,000. The state had then to sign another contract to revise the technical project and supervise the works, with DHV Consultantes - Athenas Development Office, a contract worth EUR 5.99 million.

romania-insider.com