“The A7 Ploiesti-Paşcani motorway, without A8 Iasi-Târgu Mureş, is economically inefficient. For 25 years, we have been talking about A8, but there was no will to do it,” said the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Iasi Paul Butnariu. The official also said that Moldova needs a highway to western Romania like air, according to news.ro.
IPN reminds that the Union Highway is planned to cross the Prut River and reach Chisinau, and then Odessa, connecting economic factors to the European unity desideratum.
“As far as A8 is concerned, there was sabotage from the point of view of prioritizing the highways in relation to other expenses. The reality may be upsetting for some, but this is the truth. The feasibility study for A8 began before A7 was started, but there were blockages. I say it clearly: the A7 motorway without A8 is economically inefficient,” said the head of CCI Iasi.
According to Paul Butnariu, on A8 there are several lots that need to be put up for tender contest, but things are delayed.
“There were delays of six months and then the works were postponed for another four months, then for another two. We have been talking here at the Chamber of Commerce for about 25 years about this highway. Our conviction is that it was not intended to be done. We saw countless arguments for not building A8 over time. Either that the Hungarians or the Russians will come on A8. From Iasi to Oradea, one goes through 125 localities. What shall we do with the carriers from Iasi or the Republic of Moldova, which need to take their goods to Europe?,” said the head of the Iasi Chamber of Commerce, noting that pressure must continue to be put to organize tender contests and then on the builder.
Paul Butnariu said that there are two versions regarding the timing of the completion of A8, but the probable option is after 2030. “Some say that it will be ready before 2030, but the realistic option is that it will be finished after 2030. It all depends on who will be at the Ministry of Transport, but also on the pressures that will exist. We must admit that nongovernmental organizations have managed to move things. But it is necessary to continue to put pressure,” he added.
