Basarab project gets green light from government through emergency ordinance

Previously, works at the project had been halted when a group of non-governmental organizations, led by Terra Mileniul III, went to court opposing the flyover. In 2008 the project was ruled a non-public utility, which made it impossible for Bucharest City Hall to expropriate private land plots for the development. According to the NGOs opposing the project, construction would lead to the demolition of several historical buildings.
Started more than two years ago, the project could be completed this year, according to city administration. But Bucharest mayor Sorin Oprescu warned that due to the delays, two 68- meter high pillars located in the path of the flyover could crash in the event of an earthquake. According to Oprescu, the flyover project requires an investment of more than EUR 100 million of which the completed works have absorbed around EUR 35 million. The 2km long flyover is intended to ease the traffic around the North Railway Station area and connect Grozavesti and Nicolae Titulescu boulevards. The flyover is being built by Astaldi and FCC construction companies, which won the tender for the project.
Magda Purice