Mihail Basulescu, the head of Romania's National Highways Company CNADNR was axed because of delays in the construction of the Bucharest – Ploiesti highway. He was replaced by Mircea Popa, a director within the Highways Company. This is the second change at the helm of the state company, after Daniela Draghia resigned at the end of May.

Transport Minister Ovidiu Silaghi visited the construction site of the Bucharest – Ploiesti highway last week and said the highway will not be open for traffic on June 30, a date which was in itself a long delay. The new opening date is August 1, when traffic will be allowed, but with restricted speed limits. The first deadline for the highway was in 2010, since which time it has been repeatedly delayed.

Work on the highway was divided into two sectors, Bucharest – Moara Vlasiei, which is being built by Impressa Pizzarotti/Tirrena Scavi, and the Moara Vlăsiei-Ploieşti segment, built by the consortium Spedition UMB/Pa&Co Internaţional/Euroconstruct '98/Com-Axa. The total value of work is EUR 450 million.

editor@romania-insider.com