EXCLUSIVE: Romanian Govt Starts Procedures To Introduce Highway Toll System

The reason behind this decision is that the sums allotted from the state budget and from the country's public roads authority CNADNR are not enough to upkeep highways to be constructed with funds from the European Union.

Romania currently has 320 kilometers of highway and should receive cohesion funds to build another 373 kilometers of highway.

People close to the matter told MEDIAFAX, citing the document, that analyses made by the European Commission showed the state budget and CNADNR cannot ensure the funds needed to upkeep highways.

According to the sources, the EC said highway construction projects co-financed by the European Union will be approved only if Romania pledges to introduce a highway toll system.

Romania currently levies several road infrastructure taxes which include car taxes, import duties, the rovignette, fuel excises, tolls charged for the use of bridges over the Danube, but the money so collected is not used entirely for road maintenance.

The draft act was also approved by the Transport Ministry and the Finance Ministry.

Former Transport Minister Radu Berceanu said this summer that motorists driving on Romanian highways may have to pay a toll as of next summer, in the amount of EUR3-4 per 100 kilometers. He said the money will be used for highway maintenance.

If you liked this story, please follow MEDIAFAX.RO on FACEBOOK »

The content of mediafax.ro is for your information only. Republishing or using this content is forbidden without express consent of MEDIAFAX. For this consent, please ask for it by mail at vanzari@mediafax.ro.