“Bechtel officials estimated the company will be able to carry on construction works worth EUR500 million – EUR550 million; the estimations of the Transportation Ministry, however, are around EUR400 million – EUR450 million, and this figure was stipulated in the 2009 budget,” the mentioned sources said.
The construction of the Transylvania Motorway started in 2004, based on a contract worth EUR2.2 billion attributed to Bechtel. Works halted mid-2005, when authorities started looking into contracts concluded under the previous government. The highway is due for completion in 2013.
By mid-August, Bechtel managed to finalize five kilometers out of the total 25-kilometer segment of motorway that connects the cities of Gilau and Campia Turzii.
Romanian Premier Calin Popescu Tariceanu said last week construction delays are not caused by lack of funding, but by Bechtel’s incapacity to meet contract deadlines.
Tariceanu said Bechtel is not to see another cent until he is presented with a quality certificate for the works.
The Romanian authorities allocated EUR700 million for Transylvania Motorway during 2007-2008, of which some EUR380 million was distributed in 2008.