The Romanian state owes "Bechtel" 141 million Euros

The Ministry of Transport has outstanding payments to "Bechtel", for the works delivered in 2008, of 141,5 million Euros. Radu Berceanu, the Minister of Transports, stated yesterday, in a press conference, that the Ministry will pay all this money as soon as the state budget gets approved. Mr. Berceanu claims that, following yesterday"s talks with the Bechtel officials, it has been agreed that the 150 million Euro down payment will no longer be paid, and that there will be monthly settlements or payments after the completion of each project stage.

The Minister of Transport has to allocate for the 2009 works, 291 million Euros needed for the finalization of the works on the Câmpia Turzii - Gilău road section.

The Minister of Transport claims that this system is far more favorable for the state budget, and also for the fluency of the works executed by the American company "Bechtel" for the Construction pf the "Transilvania Highway". Minister said that he has expedited the expropriations of some tracts on the highway"s trail, and the relocation of some electrical lines and gas pipes, works which were supposed to be done last year. Radu Berceanu added: "The first 42 km of the 2B sector (Câmpia Turzii - Gilău), Cluj Napoca, will be ready in November, with the remaining 10 km to be ready in the beginning of 2010. We will continue to work with in the next 2-3 weeks to settle the execution details and the delivery dates of the 3C sector which leads up to the border".

Radu Berceanu claims that the state can not terminate the contract for the execution of the Transilvania Highway, as it would not be a viable option. The Minister said that he had talks with Bechtel on the possibility to farm-out work on the Târgu Mureş - Braşov sector. If the Americans agree, they can come up with the funding themselves, or, the state can request a tender for the contract.

Radu Berceanu said that he has proposed this version to the people of Bechtel because it is clear that the state does not have enough resources in its budget to finance the whole Transilvania highway. In case Bechtel does not want to give up the contract, a financing solution can be found starting in 2012.