Further Investment In Tunnels To Optimize Bucharest Traffic

Alina Toma Vereha

Bucharest Mayor Sorin Oprescu yesterday announced that the Municipality was going to start new investments this year to improve the city"s infrastructure and road traffic. The tunnel in the Piata Presei Libere is one of the largest of the planned investment. When ready, it is expected to work in conjunction with the Baneasa Tunnel to further improve traffic near one of the busiest exists from the city. The project will be submitted to the City Council for approval today. The estimated cost stands at up to 28 million EUR, which could be provided from the local budget or via supplier credit, Mayor Oprescu said.

"As soon as financing is secured, we start working on a new tunnel. The tunnel beneath the railway in the Elena Vacarescu - Soseaua Nordului area, measuring some 400 meters. The City Council has already approved it. The estimated cost is around 27 million EUR, which we will have to receive via the Bucharest - Ilfov Development Agency.

According to a press release to BURSA, the Municipality will also build a 300 meter tunnel under DN1 between Elena Vacarescu and Garlei. The technical - economic indicators are currently being defined. The feasibility study will be completed in the next few weeks and submitted to the City Council for approval.

"I would also like to draw your attention to the Doamna Ghica - Colentina Bridge, which will measure 900 meters and have an estimated cost of 16.4 million EUR. The funds should also be disbursed via the Bucharest - Ilfov Development Agency. This project, too, has been approved by the Council, so we can start the work as soon as financing is available," Mayor Oprescu said.

Referring to the modernization of the boulevards with tramway lines, Mayor Oprescu said works were in progress on Viitorului Street, between Lizeanu and Piata Galati, as well as on Tunari Street, between Stefan cel Mare and Piata Galati.

The mayor also announced that construction works on the North - South Corridor (Buzesti - Berzei - Uranus) would begin in June. Specifically, the City will build a corridor of two sections, from Piata Victoriei to Polizu and from Stirbei Voda to Vasile Parvan. The City is also planning to open new roads, by creating junctions and connections in the 1 May area (formerly Compozitorilor), Timisoara Blvd, the Bucharest Ring Road and enlarging Avionului Street in the Pipera - Ring Road area. Additionally, 34 streets in Bucharest are scheduled for rehabilitation, with contracts already in the procurement phase. The City has a budget of 210 million RON for such works. Another 50 streets are already in the process of being repaired. The City is currently applying the procurement procedure for repairs on the Lujerului Tunnel and hopes to hire a contractor in July and start design work a month later. The estimated value of the investment is some 42 million RON.