The European Commission has approved the transfer of 300 million euros from M4 to Metro Line M6 Gara de Nord – Otopeni.
The European Commission has approved the amendment to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and the transfer of 300 million euros in funding from Metro Line M4 Gara de Nord – Filaret to the Metro Line M6 Gara de Nord – 1 Mai – Otopeni Airport project, announced the Minister of Transport, Sorin Grindeanu, on Friday, November 24.
In 2021, the Ministry of Transport included the first section of M4 from Gara de Nord to Filaret (6 stations, structural works) in the PNRR. However, the tender for the execution of the works has not even been launched, being delayed since 2022 due to the dispute between the Bucharest City Hall and the Ministry of Transport. Subsequently, the Ministry of Transport requested the European Commission to transfer the funds to the first section of M6, 1 Mai – Băneasa (Tokyo station), a mature project (contract signed in March 2022) that will enter the execution phase early next year (Building Permit will be issued in December 2023).
"The amendment to the PNRR has been approved; the Ministry of Transport was among the first (institutions) to undergo a modification, M4 to M6... it's approved. So, it's part of this change, which is a very good thing considering the milestones for signing contracts and the deadlines for 2026 (note: for the completion of works). It's a good thing accepted by the European Commission, making us optimistic that we will meet all the milestones and deadlines on all components—rail, road, metro—and all allocated funds for Transportation will be spent," stated Sorin Grindeanu.
On the other hand, the National Company for Roads and Motorways (CNAIR) still does not have a signed contract for the first lot of the A8 Unity Highway (PNRR), the lot won by Nurol is being contested at the National Council for Solving Complaints (CNSC) (almost impossible to be signed by the end of the year), and CFR Infrastructure does not have a contract for the first lot of M100 Caransebeș – Timișoara. Also, this month, the Romanian Railways Authority (ARF) canceled the second auction for 12 hydrogen trains.
Actual drilling works between 1 Mai and Băneasa are expected to begin in the spring of next year if the network relocation is completed. The two Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) Alsim Alarko-Makyol have been brought to Tunari. The machine consists of 28 pieces and has a total weight of 726 tons, as specified by Metrorex: "The first TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine), the machine designed to excavate the tunnels of the first section of Metro Line 6 (1 Mai – Otopeni), has arrived in Romania. The oversized machine, which will pave the way underground for Lot 1.1 of the new metro line between 1 Mai and Tokyo stations, was transported from Turkey to Romania by sea. The TBM that arrived at the Romanian port at the beginning of the month is the first of the two machines that will be used by the ALSIM ALARKO – MAKYOL consortium, the contractor responsible for the design and execution of the structural works for Lot 1.1: 1 MAI – TOKYO, of Metro Line 6. The shield consists of 28 pieces, totaling a weight of 726 tons. The machine has a diameter of 6.57 meters. The arrival of the shield marks an important step in preparing for the start of construction works for the first Lot of Metro Line 6 (1 Mai – Otopeni), the line that will connect the metro network of the Municipality of Bucharest to Henri Coandă International Airport – Otopeni."
For Lot 2 Băneasa – Otopeni, the contract with the Gulermak – Somet consortium is in the design stage. The contract is valued at 1.3 billion lei, with a duration of 48 months, including 12 for design and 36 for execution, covering the structure of stations and tunnels, without finishes or installations. Section 2: Tokyo – Henri Coandă International Airport has a route of 7.6 km and includes 6 stations:
– Washington
– Paris
– Brussels
– Otopeni
– Ion I.C. Brătianu
– Otopeni Airport
Metrorex designated the Gulermak – Somet consortium as the winner of the tender on February 28. The contract, approximately 1.3 billion lei, is financed by a loan taken in 2010 from the Bank of Japan and covers the works for the structure of the last six stations (it is not a turnkey contract like the metro in Cluj-Napoca).