Irinel Ionel Scriosteanu, secretary of state of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of Romania, believes that the construction of the Union Highway could be delayed for two years compared to the deadline set by law, i.e. 2030, because out of the slightly over 300 km of the highway, more than half go through the mountainous area. The statements were made in a public debate centering on the interconnection of road infrastructure in Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

“We have to be realistic and, having the current experience, we know that things in the mountainous area are not as relaxed as in other areas. With a margin of about 2 years, Romania can build this infrastructure of 300 km,” said the secretary of state.

Irinel Ionel Scriosteanu noted that the highway was divided into four main sections. Two of the sections were divided into a number of lots. The mountainous section is divided into six lots, two of which were put up for tender contest by the road company, and the other parts are the subject of the minister’s order for the transfer of these lots to the new road company, which deals with investments in major infrastructure. Next week, the environmental permit will be obtained and the procedure for the approval of the indicators by the Romanian government will be launched. The new road company will immediately draw up specifications so that, by the end of the year, the tender contests for the Iasi County also start.

For the mountainous area, which is a difficult area, the feasibility study received last autumn gives headaches in terms of specifications. That’s why it takes longer so that it can be carried out as well as possible. The construction of the highway is expected to amount to 60 billion lei. According to the secretary of state, the amount for Romania is quite high, but Romania’s investment capacity is good, if the European funds are also taken into account.

In Ionel Scriosteanu’s opinion, Romania can build this highway even if it overlaps with many ongoing investments, in the context in which almost 800 km of highway are expressway with an execution contract.

The public debate entitled “Union Highway, interconnection of road infrastructure in Romania and the Republic of Moldova” was the 18th installment of the project “Double integration through cooperation and information. Continuity”, which is funded by the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova of the Government of Romania. The content of this debate does not represent the official position of the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova.