Out of the ten largest infrastructure projects funding through the current program, about 3 billion lei (EUR635 million) went to rehabilitation of railroad sections. The remaining top ten projects got almost RON4 billion.
Trains can travel at a speed of 160 km/h only on 3.8% of Romania’s railway network at the moment. Average speed of trains in the country is 42 km/h for passenger trains and 15 km/h for freight trains.
The highest amount of EU funds, RON1.7 billion went to the Frontiera Curtici-Simeria railway project. The second largest project by amount of EU funds is the construction of the Sebes-Turda highway, RON892 million. Lugoj-Deva highway ranks third, RON852 milion.
“We are approaching this constructively – what can we do from now on. We need to (…) make sure the money we get from European Union goes to these projects and serve some needs that will create a real impact in the economy. We made 30% of the payments to the beneficiaries of the Large Infrastructure Operational Program, which includes the prefunding from the EU. Romania’s massive need is to invest in public infrastructure and large infrastructure,” said EU Funds Minister Roxana Minzatu.
In comparison, Poland got EUR82.5 billion from the EU to implement the cohesion policy. Out of this amount, EUR27.4 billion went to infrastructure and environment projects, compared with EUR9.2 billion allocated to Romania.(EUR1=RON4.7230)
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)