Bechtel Speeds Up Work On Transylvania Highway

• Management recalls 960 workers from technical unemployment

Alina Toma Vereha

Bechtel yesterday announced they recalled 660 employees from technical unemployment in the first week of intensified construction work on Section 2B of Transylvania Highway. Another 300 employees will join in this week bringing the total workforce on Section 2B to 1,400 people. By this measure, the builder is applying the agreement signed in February with the Ministry of Transportation, the National Highways Company (CNADNR) and the consultant Egisroute. The document stipulates that the Turda - Gilau Section and the viaduct in Suplacu de Barcau on Section 3C (64 kilometers) will be finished by the end of the year.

The Romanian authorities committed to provide the builder with the required land by solving the problems related to the relocation of 38 utilities. To support CNADNR and to minimize the impact of existing delays, the builder is actively helping with the relocation of 9 utilities. Bechtel is confident that works on the Racos Canal positioned between km. 40 and km. 42 on Section 2B (Campia Turzii - Gilau) will be finished this week. The canal is designed to control water flows near the villages of Valisoara and Vlaha, which are frequently flooded. Works on this canal required 12 months.

The viaduct positioned at km. 39 is one of the most important structures on Section 2B. Construction works on the 30 meter-high viaduct started in 2006. The structure is necessary due to the depth of the valley next to Valisoara, which will be crossed by the highway. When finished, the viaduct will ensure continuity in heavy traffic between km. 20 and km. 50.

The works planned to be performed on Section 2B in April include 406,030.59 cubic meters of excavations, 318,568.57 cubic meters of fillings, 6,092.33 cubic meters of pipes, 13,390.41 cubic meters of concrete, 180.74 cubic meters of concrete embankments, 19,938.64 cubic meters of waterproofing insulation, 101.38 cubic meters of prefabricated concrete slabs and 42,848.54 tonnes of ballast.

The Brasov - Bors Highway, referred to as Transylvania Highway, is the largest infrastructure project taking place in Europe. Measuring 415 kilometres, the four-lane highway starts at the heart of Romania, north-west of Brasov, and reaches the Hungarian border near Oradea, in Crisana Fields. The highway will connect Brasov, Fagaras, Sighisoara, Targu Mures, Cluj Napoca, Zalau and Oradea. The project includes 58 road passageways, 94 bridges over the highway and 16 road junctions. The highway is built by Bechtel and their regional partner, Enka Insaat ve Sanayi AS - Turkey.