The construction works on the section of the North Transylvanian highway between Bisztraterebes and Bihar in Bihor County are set to begin next spring, announced Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu. Grindeanu stated that by then, legal disputes between the contractor and the National Road Infrastructure Management Company (CNAIR) that delayed the start of the works would be cleared up. The minister referred to the mistakes of the previous government, which had signed an undervalued and underfunded contract with the contractor, preventing the project from being realized on time. The original contract was terminated, and after a new tender was launched, the company within the same interest group won.
The value of the construction contract is 785.215 million lei (excluding VAT), and the funding source is European support. The 28.55 km long section of the highway includes 7 bridges and 11 overpasses. The reason for the delay in works was the ongoing lawsuits between CNAIR and the contractor, as well as the cost increases necessary due to ground stabilization works. Although the construction contract was signed in March of this year, the works were planned for 2025 due to the lawsuits. Additional construction works may start on the section between Bisztraterebes and Berettyószeplak, where the construction plans have already been submitted by the company commissioned with the construction. Following the assessment of the decision, the construction of the 26-kilometer section could start soon.
