Romania could rely on EBRD for subway line to Bucharest airport

A section of Bucharest's new subway line linking the city's existing network to the airport could be built with financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), representatives of the Pro Infrastructura (API) NGO informed, following a discussion with the management of the company that operates the municipality’s subway network - Metrorex, local Economica.net reported.

Romania received EU funding for only part of the subway line connecting Bucharest to its main airport - Henri Coanda International Airport - because of high cost and problematic feasibility study. Metrorex initially announced that it would rely on financing from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the rest.

The tender for the construction of the second section (from Baneasa to the airport) could be launched as soon as April, after the auction for the first section (stretching from the existing 1 Mai station to Baneasa, financed by the EU) will start in March, API representatives quoted Metrorex executives as saying.

The investment for the whole 6th Metro Line stretching from 1 Mai station to the airport, including the 12 trains, is estimated to reach EUR 1.3 billion. According to Metrorex's current estimates, the metro line to the airport should be completed in November 2023.

(Photo source: Metrorex.ro)