Romanian Government to Approve Braila-Focsani Expressway Project on Thursday

The Romanian government is set to approve the Braila-Focsani expressway project this Thursday, as announced by Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu. The project, which aims to alleviate traffic congestion in Moldova, will see the approval of its technical-economic indicators during the government meeting.

Grindeanu emphasized the necessity of the expressway, stating, 'Thursday will be approved in the government meeting the Government Decision for the approval of the technical-economic indicators for the Braila-Focsani expressway. This is an absolutely necessary road that will unload all of Moldova from the Braila bridge and will go towards Constanta, Tulcea-Constanta.' The expressway is designed to redirect traffic from the Braila bridge towards Constanta and Tulcea-Constanta.

The project is currently with the Ministry of Finance, and Grindeanu expressed confidence that it will be signed by Thursday. He stated, 'I have no doubts that Mr. Boloș will sign this government decision by Thursday, so we can approve it in the Government. After we approve it, we'll launch the tender, so the execution phase can begin.'

The approval of the Braila-Focsani expressway project has significant implications for the infrastructure development in Moldova and the surrounding regions. This project's completion is expected to reduce traffic congestion and enhance connectivity to major cities, and in doing so, boost the local economy and improve the quality of life for residents.

The Braila-Focsani expressway is expected to span 73 kilometers and has an estimated cost of 5.5 billion lei, excluding VAT. The project will be financed through the Transport Program. The government aims to find a constructor who can complete the expressway on time, with Grindeanu hoping it will have the 'luck of finding a constructor who will finish this expressway on time, absolutely necessary.'

In parallel, construction on the Braila-Galati expressway is progressing, with over 200 workers and 80 pieces of equipment mobilized on-site. The focus is currently on building the bridge structures along the route, including the Hobanat bridge over the Siret River, which is the second-largest in Romania. Despite a previous delay in the delivery of the metal deck for the bridge by the Galați steel plant, the project is expected to be completed in 2024.

The Braila-Galati expressway spans 11 kilometers and has a contract value of 371.41 million lei, excluding VAT. This project is funded by non-reimbursable European funds.

The approval of the Braila-Focsani expressway marks a significant step towards improving the infrastructure in Moldova, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and enhance connectivity to major cities like Constanta and Tulcea.

Key Takeaways

• Romanian government to approve Braila-Focsani expressway project on Thursday.
• 73km expressway to redirect traffic from Braila bridge to Constanta and Tulcea-Constanta.
• Project estimated to cost 5.5 billion lei, excluding VAT, and financed through Transport Program.
• Expressway aims to reduce traffic congestion and enhance connectivity to major cities.
• Construction on parallel Braila-Galati expressway progressing, expected to be completed in 2024.