High-altitude Romanian road could close after heavy rock fall

Transfagarasan, the high-altitude road in central Romania, could be closed less than a week after being reopened, after a 1,000-ton rock fell from the nearby slope and onto the edge of the motorway, the National Company for Managing Road Infrastructure (CNAIR) announced on Wednesday, June 22. The rock fell at the 126+250 km section of the road. The rock stopped at the edge of the motorway and did not affect the traffic lanes. However, next to the place where this rock fell from there are two smaller rocks, which could break away and disturb the driveway and the safety of those in traffic, according to CNAIR. The road infrastructure company introduced provisional signage alerting about restrictions in the area and is monitoring the section. “In the event that the risk increases, the CNAIR will recommend closing the traffic in the area as protecting the life and the bodily integrity of those passing through the area these days is the priority,” according to a statement from the CNAIR. The national road DN 7C Transfagarasan, which links the Sibiu and Arges counties, reopened on June 16, earlier than in previous years. The road became famous worldwide after the famous British auto show Top Gear filmed an episode on it in 2009. Since then, the road has been used as a setup for international TV shows and TV commercials. Romania’s high-altitude road Transfagarasan reopens earlier this year editor@romania-insider.com