Romanian Govt. wants World Bank support to build highway

The Romanian Government wants to build the Comarnic - Brasov highway in partnership with the World Bank, prime minister Mihai Tudose said on Wednesday. It would be the first time when a government delegates the management of such an important project to an external body. The Government will establish a new special project unit for the Comarnic - Brasov highway, which will be subordinated to the prime minister. Experts from the World Bank and a small group of Romanian experts, coordinated by one of the prime minister’s advisers, will manage the unit in a dual system. The project will thus have the direct authority of the prime minister and the World Bank expertise. The prime minister will take responsibility for the project risks such as postponement or appeals. According to government sources, Tudose was exasperated by the Transport Ministry's inability to build highways, reports Hotnews.ro. Authorities will build the highway with national funds, European funds and bank loans. The Comarnic - Brasov Highway has been one of the most discussed projects in the last 20 years, but has remained at the project stage. The highway would pass through the Carpathian Mountains and link Southeastern Romania to the western part of the country. It would also solve the weekend and holiday traffic congestion in the Prahova Valley. editor@romania-insider.com