Delayed auctions for construction of highways for European money, contracts being terminated one after another, concessions whose deadline for submitting offers has been delayed – this is the picture of road infrastructure in Romania this year.
While in previous years the authorities announced that the inauguration of highways would be delayed because works progressed at a slow rate, now even the assignment of contracts is delayed.
“We have got used to this situation; this is no surprise for anyone anymore [the fact that no new highway construction sites are started]. We are starting to get used with involution and with degradation of road infrastructure in Romania. If one cannot even use a recently-inaugurated ring road such as that of Caransebes, south-western Romania, what can we expect?” says Augustin Hagiu, transporter consultant. The ring road of Caransebes was inaugurated in 2011, but was later closed down because the road deteriorated, according to the local press.
Under the circumstances, the construction sector, which could breathe new air into the Romanian economy, is lethargic and living entirely off works whose contracts were signed in previous years, but which will gradually be completed.
EUR1 of public investments contributes 0.5 eurocents to GDP formation, according to estimates from finance specialists, so massive investments in infrastructure could have a decisive contribution to Romania’s economic growth. For instance, investments of EUR2.5 billion in highway construction sites would contribute EUR1.25 billion to GDP, equivalent to economic growth of almost 1%, according to ZF calculations.
Estimates for 2013 point to economic growth of over 2% this year, based only on exports and agriculture.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)