Bechtel plan: Three new sections of road in 2008

Bechtel, the US construction firm behind the Transylvanian highway, has announced that it plans to work on all three sections of the road between Cluj and Bors in 2008. Works on this first section, which stretches 164 kilometres, should be completed by the end of 2010, according to the contract signed with the Romanian authorities. The three sections targeted this year are 3A (Gilau – Mihaesti), 3B (Mihaesti – Suplacu de Barcau), and 3C (Suplacu de Barcau – Bors). Bechtel, which has received 30% of the 442 million euros allocated for 2008 from the Government, has announced it will hire 500 to 1,500 workers this year, which will handle the construction works. In addition, Bechtel has voiced interest to take part in the job fair, organised by the Ministry of Labour and held in Rome on February 23. According to sources close to the Transylvanian motorway project, wages offered to Romanian workers who come from abroad could exceed 500 euros, but this depends on the type of work and whether they are skilled or not. Last year, Bechtel hired almost 2,000 people throughout all the counties through which the road passes- Bihor, Cluj, Salaj, Mures and Alba. Representatives of the CNADNR (National Authority in charge of Highways and National Roads), and Transport Ministry officials asked Bechtel to complete works on the section between Kilometres 17 and 42 (Tureni – Valisoara), however, the American company is still facing problems such as land expropriation, delayed approvals from archaeologists, and the relocation of utilities.