Bechtel to build highway in Romania

After Vinci (France), another constructions giant, American group Bechtel is now getting ready to build a section of a highway in Romania. The Ministry of Public Works, Transports and Housing (MLPTL) is planning to conclude a public-private partnership agreement with US-based Bechtel, which could happen in April 2004, ministry sources say. The project that piqued the Americans’ interest is the Brasov-Targu Mures-Cluj-Napoca-Oradea-Bors highway (425km long), estimated to be worth 2.5bn euros. Bechtel has already set aside $800 million for this project, as explained by Miron Mitrea, MLPTL minister, for Mediafax. “The Americans have expressed interest to build part of this highway, which comprises three sections: Brasov-Targu Mures, Targu Mures – Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca – Oradea – Bors, with the final configuration to be decided based on feasibility studies (…),” MLPTL sources said. ZF