Austrian Strabag Appeals Auction Result For Romanian Comarnic-Brasov Hwy Segment Constr

Ionescu, head of the ministry’s Road Infrastructure and Leases Department, declined to mention the rationale behind Strabag’s appeal.

Romania’s transport minister Radu Berceanu said Wednesday, May 13, that the consortium formed of companies Vinci Concession, Aktor Concession, Vinci Construction Grand Projets and Aktor won the auction for the construction of the highway segment to link central Romanian cities of Comarnic and Brasov.

Berceanu said construction works will start in 2010 and are due in 2014 when the ministry hopes the highway will be open for traffic.

The highway segment will stretch onto 58 kilometers, divided into two segments: one of 36.2 kilometers between Comarnic and Predeal and another one of 21.8 kilometers, between Predeal and Brasov.

This is the first lease-based construction contract for a highway segment. The contract amounts to EUR1.5 billion and will run for a 30-year period.

According to the minister, upon the expiry of the lease contract, the Romanian state will be able to extend the administration period of the highway, set up a new auction or take over its administration.

Three consortiums took part in the auction, namely, Vinci Concession – Aktor Concession – Vinci Construction Grand Projets – Aktor, Strabag – Egis Projects – Eurovia Construct International – Housing&Construction Holding and Bilfinger&Berger – Porr.

Strabag owns in Romania companies ARL Cluj, Carb Brasov, Drumco Timisoara and Strabag Romania.