Romania Fin Min Points Finger At U.S. Bechtel Over Transylvania Motorway Problems

Potential problems with the construction of Transylvania Motorway, which connects central Romanian Brasov to western Bors, should be linked to U.S. constructor Bechtel, as the Romanian authorities have done their part of the deal, economy and finance Minister Varujan Vosganian said Thursday.

"We need the motorway. We allocated EUR400 million this year to Bechtel. I would like to see the kilometers of motorway match our financing. The Romanian government has done its duty, and this year's budget includes the entire financing. If things do not go how they suppose to, you should ask them (Bechtel - e.n.) about it and tell them we've done our job," Vosganian said in a press conference.

In July, the Romanian authorities assigned added 400 million lei (EUR1=RON3.5370) for the construction of Transylvania Highway, upon the second budget revision of the year.

Transport Minister Ludovic Orban said in June the government will assign additional EUR200 million for the investment.

The first 35 kilometers of the Transylvania Motorway will be slated for use in November, Stefan Szobotka, communication manager of the country's national roads and highways company said mid-May.

Mediafax