Transport minister: no money to continue Transilvania highway, only to pay current debt

Further works on the Transilvania highway are uncertain as financing for infrastructure works is scarce and the project is not among priorities, according to Transport minister Radu Berceanu. The ministry will pay the debt to US company Bechtel, which is building the highway, but since the project is financed from the state budget, it ranks third in the ministry's priorities. First come projects financed from the EU and second those with external financing. Berceanu said a serious discussion with the construction company is due, as the minister was unhappy with the contract details. However, Bechtel representatives said a renegotiation of the contract hasn't been discussed. The state owes Bechtel around EUR 80 million for works in 2009 and 2010.