As we approach the end of the year, the National Roads and Highways Authority in Romania (CNADNR) published the results of their… asiduous work over the past months. Disappointing 2014 balance, just 53 km of highway are going to be finished by the end of December. 53,5 km, to be really precise. The figures represent less than half the number of highway kilometers built in 2013.
Last year, the 116 km of highway were assigned to the segments Orastie-Sibiu, Simeria-Orastie and Lugoj-Deva. Nevertheless, the funds granted last year were substantially higher compared to this year. A total of 3,8 billion lei plus VAT were invested by CNADNR. On the other hand, though much less productive, was also significantly less costly: in the first 9 months of the year 2014, CNADNR paid 767,1 million lei to the companies implicated in the construction of the highway.
How many kilometres of highway do we currently have? The answer is: 646 km. This year, the projects under development were Nadlac – Arad, Timisoara – Lugoj and Orastie – Sibiu (the third lot, whose accomplishment is expected by the end of 2014).
For next year, CNADNR have made more… realistic plans. By now, 17 new kilometers of high speed motorway have been planned. These include the first segment of the highway Bucuresti – Ploiesti and the highway Nadlac – Arad. Formalities are currently being followed to organize public auctions for the execution and projecting of the segments Targu Mures – Ungheni, Ungheni – Ogra, Ogra – Campia Turzii and Suplacu de Barcau – Bors.
Romania still has plenty of way to go before approaching the infrastructure standards of Western European countries such as Germany, Spain, France or Italy; or even matching the roads of “more modest” counterparts, like Poland or Hungary. But then, driving a car will be an ever more fulfilling activity than it is now, so there’s something to look forward to.