LUGOJ-DEVA MOTORWAY II (SPL 2015-0712)

The loan will finance the construction of A1 motorway section between Dumbrava and Deva. In particular, the construction concerns two non-continuous sections of a 2x2-lane motorway with a double carriageway along a new alignment, for a total length of approximately 59 km.

The project is addressing the development of the Rhine-Danube Trans-European Transport Network core network corridor (TEN-T CNC), by investing in the underdeveloped TEN-T road network in a Cohesion region of Romania. The aim is to improve connectivity, accessibility and traffic safety, both along the new alignment and existing national roads. The new transport link will serve local, regional, and international traffic demand and reduce congestion in the settlements along the corridor, notably by diverting most of the heavy vehicles from the national road to the new motorway. By reducing travel times, accident levels and inhabitants' exposure to air and noise pollutants, the new motorway section will considerably improve residents' life quality.

The Project is located on the Core TEN-T Network in a Cohesion region of Romania. The Project addresses the market/network failures related to accessibility along the Core TEN-T Network, in particular the Rhine-Danube TEN-T CNC.

The Project will improve connectivity and accessibility as well as the traffic safety, offering a modern connection for the transit traffic along the main road corridor from Constanta through Bucharest towards the Hungarian border. The Project will serve local, regional and international traffic demand. The project has benefited from JASPERS and PASU Technical Assistance to the Managing Authority to prepare the EU funds application and phasing proposal as well as during the project implementation. The EIB loan will finance the State contribution to the project, therefore, Romania will benefit from the advantageous financial conditions offered by EIB, including long tenors (up to 25 years) and attractive interest rates. Such conditions will allow Romania for a considerable financial flexibility in the implementation of its transport infrastructural investments.

The project falls under Annex I of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2014/52/EU, amending the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU, requiring a full environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure. EIA studies have been completed and the competent authorities have issued environmental decisions and the development permits. The EU and Romania national legal procedures have been properly followed in the project preparation and implementation.

The promoter is a public contracting authority subject to the relevant EU directives. All contracts for the implementation of the project have been tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation (Directive 2014/24/EU), as well as Directive 92/13/EEC or Directive 89/665/EEC as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU, with publication of tender notices in the Official Journal of the EU, as and where required.