A3 (Romania)
Encyclopedia
A3 Transylvania Motorway or Autostrada Transilvania (A3) is a motorway currently being constructed in Romania
. It will be a four-lane, 588-kilometer motorway, stretching northwest from Bucharest
to Oradea
. The motorway will connect the cities of Bucharest, Ploieşti
, Braşov
, Făgăraş
, Sighişoara
, Târgu Mureş, Cluj-Napoca
, Zalău
and Oradea
. The motorway will be owned by the government of Romania
. Transylvania Motorway will follow almost the same route as the DN1
road (National Road 1), which became insufficient due to the growing rate of traffic between Bucharest
and Transylvania
.
to Moara Vlăsiei
will be built as a six-lane set of carriageways to accommodate commuting and holiday surplus traffic; the motorway will cross the Carpathian Mountains
along the Prahova Valley
(the Ploieşti
- Braşov
segment is considered the most difficult section to be built). It will also provide access to the future Terminal 2 of the Henri Coandă Airport
and to the future A5 (Bucharest - Chişinău
) motorway, via the Ploieşti South-East/Dumbrava
interchange. Works on Bucharest
- Ploieşti
section of the A3 started on 15 March 2007. Works on Comarnic
- Braşov
, the most difficult segment of the motorway, have not started yet and should take around 4 years to complete.
The total construction cost of the segment is estimated at 1.2 billion euros.
company Bechtel Corporation together with its regional partner Enka A.S.
of Turkey
. The contract was awarded in 2004 to Bechtel Corporation by the Social Democrat Prime-Minister Adrian Năstase
without an open bidding process, invoking "national security
" as an excuse. The estimated construction cost was 2.8 billion € in 2003, rose to 4.7 blillion € in a 2007 estimate. Although officially the deadline is set for 2013, the final cost and finalization date are currently unknown.. As per Romanian ministry of transportation, Anca Boagiu, the original contract was highly disadvantageous to the Romanian side. Following the contract renegotiation that occurred in June-July 2011, Bechtel agreed to lower the building cost per kilometer by 50 % down to 6.9 million euros. . Also it was decided that the American company will build only 2 segments of the A3 (Borş - Suplacu de Barcău and Gilău - Câmpia Turzii), leaving all the other segments of the motorway open for tendering.
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
. It will be a four-lane, 588-kilometer motorway, stretching northwest from Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
to Oradea
Oradea
Oradea is the capital city of Bihor County, in the Crișana region of north-western Romania. The city has a population of 204,477, according to the 2009 estimates. The wider Oradea metropolitan area has a total population of 245,832.-Geography:...
. The motorway will connect the cities of Bucharest, Ploieşti
Ploiesti
Ploiești is the county seat of Prahova County and lies in the historical region of Wallachia in Romania. The city is located north of Bucharest....
, Braşov
Brasov
Brașov is a city in Romania and the capital of Brașov County.According to the last Romanian census, from 2002, there were 284,596 people living within the city of Brașov, making it the 8th most populated city in Romania....
, Făgăraş
Fagaras
Făgăraș is a city in central Romania, located in Braşov County . Another source of the name is alleged to derive from the Hungarian language word for "partridge" . A more plausible explanation is that the name is given by Fogaras river coming from the Pecheneg "Fagar šu", which means ash water...
, Sighişoara
Sighisoara
Sighişoara is a city and municipality on the Târnava Mare River in Mureş County, Romania. Located in the historic region Transylvania, Sighişoara has a population of 27,706 ....
, Târgu Mureş, Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca , commonly known as Cluj, is the fourth most populous city in Romania and the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country. Geographically, it is roughly equidistant from Bucharest , Budapest and Belgrade...
, Zalău
Zalau
Zalău is the seat of Sălaj County, Transylvania, Romania. In 2004, its estimated population was 62,900.- Ancient times :Zalău is situated in the area inhabited by "Free Dacians", 8 kilometers away from the historical landmark of Porolissum, a well-preserved Roman Castrum with an imposing fortress,...
and Oradea
Oradea
Oradea is the capital city of Bihor County, in the Crișana region of north-western Romania. The city has a population of 204,477, according to the 2009 estimates. The wider Oradea metropolitan area has a total population of 245,832.-Geography:...
. The motorway will be owned by the government of Romania
Government of Romania
The Government of Romania forms one half of the country's executive branch . It is headed by the Prime-Minister, and consists of the Ministries, various subordinated institutions and agencies, and the 42 Prefectures...
. Transylvania Motorway will follow almost the same route as the DN1
DN1
DN1 is an important national road in Romania which links Bucharest with the northwestern part of the country...
road (National Road 1), which became insufficient due to the growing rate of traffic between Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
and Transylvania
Transylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
.
Bucureşti-Braşov section "Snow Motorway"
The first segment, from BucharestBucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
to Moara Vlăsiei
Moara Vlasiei
Moara Vlăsiei is a commune in the southern part of Ilfov county, Romania. Its name means "Mill of the Vlachs", and was called Moara Săracă until 1968. It is composed of two villages, Căciulaţi and Moara Vlăsiei....
will be built as a six-lane set of carriageways to accommodate commuting and holiday surplus traffic; the motorway will cross the Carpathian Mountains
Carpathian Mountains
The Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians are a range of mountains forming an arc roughly long across Central and Eastern Europe, making them the second-longest mountain range in Europe...
along the Prahova Valley
Prahova Valley
Prahova Valley is the valley where the Prahova river makes its way between the Bucegi and the Baiu Mountains, in the Carpathian Mountains, Romania. It is a tourist region, situated about 100 km north of the capital city of Bucharest.Geographically, the Prahova river separates the Eastern...
(the Ploieşti
Ploiesti
Ploiești is the county seat of Prahova County and lies in the historical region of Wallachia in Romania. The city is located north of Bucharest....
- Braşov
Brasov
Brașov is a city in Romania and the capital of Brașov County.According to the last Romanian census, from 2002, there were 284,596 people living within the city of Brașov, making it the 8th most populated city in Romania....
segment is considered the most difficult section to be built). It will also provide access to the future Terminal 2 of the Henri Coandă Airport
Henri Coanda International Airport
Henri Coandă International Airport is Romania's busiest international airport, located northwest of the city of Bucharest, within Otopeni city limits. One of two airports serving the Romanian capital, the other being Băneasa, it is named after Romanian flight pioneer Henri Coandă, builder of...
and to the future A5 (Bucharest - Chişinău
Chisinau
Chișinău is the capital and largest municipality of Moldova. It is also its main industrial and commercial centre and is located in the middle of the country, on the river Bîc...
) motorway, via the Ploieşti South-East/Dumbrava
Dumbrava, Prahova
Dumbrava is a commune in Prahova County, Romania. It is composed of six villages: Ciupelniţa, Cornu de Sus, Dumbrava, Trestienii de Jos, Trestienii de Sus and Zănoaga....
interchange. Works on Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
- Ploieşti
Ploiesti
Ploiești is the county seat of Prahova County and lies in the historical region of Wallachia in Romania. The city is located north of Bucharest....
section of the A3 started on 15 March 2007. Works on Comarnic
Comarnic
Comarnic is a town in Prahova County, Romania, with a population of 13,500. Four villages are administered by the town: Ghioşeşti, Podu Lung, Poiana and Posada....
- Braşov
Brasov
Brașov is a city in Romania and the capital of Brașov County.According to the last Romanian census, from 2002, there were 284,596 people living within the city of Brașov, making it the 8th most populated city in Romania....
, the most difficult segment of the motorway, have not started yet and should take around 4 years to complete.
The total construction cost of the segment is estimated at 1.2 billion euros.
| Section | Route | Length (km) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bucharest Bucharest Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River.... - Ploieşti Ploiesti Ploiești is the county seat of Prahova County and lies in the historical region of Wallachia in Romania. The city is located north of Bucharest.... |
62 | estimated completion 2012 |
| 2 | Ploieşti Ploiesti Ploiești is the county seat of Prahova County and lies in the historical region of Wallachia in Romania. The city is located north of Bucharest.... - Comarnic Comarnic Comarnic is a town in Prahova County, Romania, with a population of 13,500. Four villages are administered by the town: Ghioşeşti, Podu Lung, Poiana and Posada.... |
36 | planned |
| 3 | Comarnic Comarnic Comarnic is a town in Prahova County, Romania, with a population of 13,500. Four villages are administered by the town: Ghioşeşti, Podu Lung, Poiana and Posada.... - Brasov Brasov Brașov is a city in Romania and the capital of Brașov County.According to the last Romanian census, from 2002, there were 284,596 people living within the city of Brașov, making it the 8th most populated city in Romania.... |
55 | estimated completion 2018 |
- Total length: 173.3 km
- Tunnel length: 2.65 km
- Nodes: 14
- Projected speed limit: 80 – 100 – 130 km/h
- Platform width: 26.0 m
- Road width: 2 x 7.5 m
- Intersections: 12
- Bridges/viaducts: 27.65 km
- Estimated cost: 1,415 mil euros
Bechtel contract controversy
This motorway segment was originally scheduled to be built by AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
company Bechtel Corporation together with its regional partner Enka A.S.
Enka Insaat ve Sanayi A.S.
Enka İnşaat ve Sanayi A.Ş. is a Turkish construction conglomerate based in Istanbul. Enka has 37 subsidiaries engaged in a diverse range of construction activities including power generation, airports, petroleum, and roadways...
of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. The contract was awarded in 2004 to Bechtel Corporation by the Social Democrat Prime-Minister Adrian Năstase
Adrian Nastase
Adrian Năstase is a Romanian politician who was the Prime Minister of Romania from December 2000 to December 2004.He competed as the Social Democratic Party candidate in the 2004 presidential election, but was defeated by centre-right Justice and Truth Alliance candidate Traian Băsescu.He was...
without an open bidding process, invoking "national security
National security
National security is the requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of economic, diplomacy, power projection and political power. The concept developed mostly in the United States of America after World War II...
" as an excuse. The estimated construction cost was 2.8 billion € in 2003, rose to 4.7 blillion € in a 2007 estimate. Although officially the deadline is set for 2013, the final cost and finalization date are currently unknown.. As per Romanian ministry of transportation, Anca Boagiu, the original contract was highly disadvantageous to the Romanian side. Following the contract renegotiation that occurred in June-July 2011, Bechtel agreed to lower the building cost per kilometer by 50 % down to 6.9 million euros. . Also it was decided that the American company will build only 2 segments of the A3 (Borş - Suplacu de Barcău and Gilău - Câmpia Turzii), leaving all the other segments of the motorway open for tendering.
Technical specifications
- ExcavationEarthworks (engineering)Earthworks are engineering works created through the moving or processing of quantities of soil or unformed rock.- Civil engineering use :Typical earthworks include roads, railway beds, causeways, dams, levees, canals, and berms...
: 93,000,000 m3 - FillFill dirtFill dirt is earthy material which is used to fill in a depression or hole in the ground or create mounds or otherwise artificially change the grade or elevation of real property....
: 64,000,000 m3 - BallastTrack ballastTrack ballast forms the trackbed upon which railway sleepers or railroad ties are laid. It is packed between, below, and around the ties. It is used to facilitate drainage of water, to distribute the load from the railroad ties, and also to keep down vegetation that might interfere with the track...
and crushed stoneCrushed stoneCrushed stone or angular rock is a form of construction aggregate, typically produced by mining a suitable rock deposit and breaking the removed rock down to the desired size using crushers...
base: 12,000,000 m3 - DrainageDrainageDrainage is the natural or artificial removal of surface and sub-surface water from an area. Many agricultural soils need drainage to improve production or to manage water supplies.-Early history:...
pipes: 620,000 lm - AsphaltAsphaltAsphalt or , also known as bitumen, is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid that is present in most crude petroleums and in some natural deposits, it is a substance classed as a pitch...
: 7,000,000 m3 - StructureStructureStructure is a fundamental, tangible or intangible notion referring to the recognition, observation, nature, and permanence of patterns and relationships of entities. This notion may itself be an object, such as a built structure, or an attribute, such as the structure of society...
s: 53 km - Piling: 620,000 lm
- ReinforcedReinforced concreteReinforced concrete is concrete in which reinforcement bars , reinforcement grids, plates or fibers have been incorporated to strengthen the concrete in tension. It was invented by French gardener Joseph Monier in 1849 and patented in 1867. The term Ferro Concrete refers only to concrete that is...
and precast concretePrecast concreteBy producing precast concrete in a controlled environment , the precast concrete is afforded the opportunity to properly cure and be closely monitored by plant employees. Utilizing a Precast Concrete system offers many potential advantages over site casting of concrete...
: 3,200,000 m3
Technical data
| Section | Length (km) | Subsection | Route | Construction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 161 | 1A-53 km | Braşov Brasov Brașov is a city in Romania and the capital of Brașov County.According to the last Romanian census, from 2002, there were 284,596 people living within the city of Brașov, making it the 8th most populated city in Romania.... (Cristian) - Făgăraş Fagaras Făgăraș is a city in central Romania, located in Braşov County . Another source of the name is alleged to derive from the Hungarian language word for "partridge" . A more plausible explanation is that the name is given by Fogaras river coming from the Pecheneg "Fagar šu", which means ash water... |
planned |
| 1B-52 km | Făgăraş Fagaras Făgăraș is a city in central Romania, located in Braşov County . Another source of the name is alleged to derive from the Hungarian language word for "partridge" . A more plausible explanation is that the name is given by Fogaras river coming from the Pecheneg "Fagar šu", which means ash water... - Sighişoara Sighisoara Sighişoara is a city and municipality on the Târnava Mare River in Mureş County, Romania. Located in the historic region Transylvania, Sighişoara has a population of 27,706 .... |
planned | ||
| 1C-56 km | Sighişoara Sighisoara Sighişoara is a city and municipality on the Târnava Mare River in Mureş County, Romania. Located in the historic region Transylvania, Sighişoara has a population of 27,706 .... - Târgu Mureş (Ogra) |
planned | ||
| 2 | 90 | 2A-36 km | Târgu Mureş (Ogra) - Câmpia Turzii Câmpia Turzii Câmpia Turzii is a city in Cluj County, Romania, which was formed in 1925 by the union of two villages, Ghiriş and Sâncrai... |
to be re-tendered |
| 2B-54 km | Câmpia Turzii Câmpia Turzii Câmpia Turzii is a city in Cluj County, Romania, which was formed in 1925 by the union of two villages, Ghiriş and Sâncrai... - Cluj-Napoca Cluj-Napoca Cluj-Napoca , commonly known as Cluj, is the fourth most populous city in Romania and the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country. Geographically, it is roughly equidistant from Bucharest , Budapest and Belgrade... Vest (Gilău Gilau, Cluj Gilău is a commune in Cluj County, Romania. It is composed of three villages: Gilău, Someşu Cald and Someşu Rece.- Demographics :According to the census from 2002 there was a total population of 7,861 people living in this town. Of this population, 83.43% are ethnic Romanians, 9.45% are ethnic... ) |
completed in November 2010 | ||
| 3 | 164 | 3A-24 km | Cluj-Napoca Cluj-Napoca Cluj-Napoca , commonly known as Cluj, is the fourth most populous city in Romania and the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country. Geographically, it is roughly equidistant from Bucharest , Budapest and Belgrade... Vest (Gilău Gilau, Cluj Gilău is a commune in Cluj County, Romania. It is composed of three villages: Gilău, Someşu Cald and Someşu Rece.- Demographics :According to the census from 2002 there was a total population of 7,861 people living in this town. Of this population, 83.43% are ethnic Romanians, 9.45% are ethnic... ) - Mihăieşti |
to be re-tendered |
| 3B-76 km | Mihăieşti - Suplacu de Barcău Suplacu de Barcau Suplacu de Barcău is a commune in Bihor County, northwestern Romania with a population of 4,590. It is composed of six villages: Borumlaca, Dolea, Foglaş, Suplacu de Barcău, Valea Cerului and Vâlcelele.-See also:* Suplacu de Barcău Viaduct... |
planned | ||
| 3C-64 km | Suplacu de Barcău Suplacu de Barcau Suplacu de Barcău is a commune in Bihor County, northwestern Romania with a population of 4,590. It is composed of six villages: Borumlaca, Dolea, Foglaş, Suplacu de Barcău, Valea Cerului and Vâlcelele.-See also:* Suplacu de Barcău Viaduct... - Oradea Oradea Oradea is the capital city of Bihor County, in the Crișana region of north-western Romania. The city has a population of 204,477, according to the 2009 estimates. The wider Oradea metropolitan area has a total population of 245,832.-Geography:... Vest (Borş Bors, Bihor Borş is a commune in Bihor County, northwestern Romania. It is composed of four villages: Borş, Santăul Mic , Santăul Mare and Sântion . In 2002, 92.7% of inhabitants were Hungarians, 6% Romanians and 0.9% Roma.... ) |
completion deadline 2013 |
- Total length: 415 km
- Platform width: 26 m
- Road width: 2 x 7.5 m
- Bridges/viaducts: 267/over 60 km
- Overpasses: 94
- Underpasses: 58
- Interchanges: 16
- Completion deadline: 2017.
Construction progress - 2011
The official groundbreaking ceremony for Autostrada Transilvania was held near the village of Vălişoara on 16 June 2004. At present, works are being performed simultaneously on two segments - 2B Campia Turzii-Cluj Vest, and 3C Suplacu de Barcău-Oradea Vest (Borş).Openings timeline
- TurdaTurdaTurda is a city and Municipality in Cluj County, Romania, situated on the Arieş River.- Ancient times :The city was founded by Dacians under the name Patavissa or Potaissa...
- Gilău segment (42 km) opened for traffic on 1 December 2009 and it currently serves as a motorway bypass for the city of Cluj-NapocaCluj-NapocaCluj-Napoca , commonly known as Cluj, is the fourth most populous city in Romania and the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country. Geographically, it is roughly equidistant from Bucharest , Budapest and Belgrade... - Câmpia TurziiCâmpia TurziiCâmpia Turzii is a city in Cluj County, Romania, which was formed in 1925 by the union of two villages, Ghiriş and Sâncrai...
- TurdaTurdaTurda is a city and Municipality in Cluj County, Romania, situated on the Arieş River.- Ancient times :The city was founded by Dacians under the name Patavissa or Potaissa...
segment (10 km) opened on 13 November 2010 and it currently serves as a motorway bypass for both these cities. - next scheduled openings: BucharestBucharestBucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
- Moara VlăsieiMoara VlasieiMoara Vlăsiei is a commune in the southern part of Ilfov county, Romania. Its name means "Mill of the Vlachs", and was called Moara Săracă until 1968. It is composed of two villages, Căciulaţi and Moara Vlăsiei....
(19 km) and Moara VlăsieiMoara VlasieiMoara Vlăsiei is a commune in the southern part of Ilfov county, Romania. Its name means "Mill of the Vlachs", and was called Moara Săracă until 1968. It is composed of two villages, Căciulaţi and Moara Vlăsiei....
- PloieştiPloiestiPloiești is the county seat of Prahova County and lies in the historical region of Wallachia in Romania. The city is located north of Bucharest....
(42 km) - 2012.
Exits List
| Exits and buildings (Northbound) | ||||
| Cluj-Napoca bypass (52 km) | ||||
 |
(1) | Câmpia Turzii Câmpia Turzii Câmpia Turzii is a city in Cluj County, Romania, which was formed in 1925 by the union of two villages, Ghiriş and Sâncrai... |
opened 2010 | |
 |
(2) | Turda Turda Turda is a city and Municipality in Cluj County, Romania, situated on the Arieş River.- Ancient times :The city was founded by Dacians under the name Patavissa or Potaissa... / Aiud Aiud Aiud is a city located in Alba county, Transylvania, Romania. The city has a population of 28,934 people. It has the status of municipality and is the second-largest city in the county, after county seat Alba Iulia. The Aiud administrative region is 142.2 square kilometres in area.- Administration... , DN1 DN1 DN1 is an important national road in Romania which links Bucharest with the northwestern part of the country... |
 |
opened 2009 |
|
(3) | Cluj-Napoca Cluj-Napoca Cluj-Napoca , commonly known as Cluj, is the fourth most populous city in Romania and the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country. Geographically, it is roughly equidistant from Bucharest , Budapest and Belgrade... West / Gilău, DN1 DN1 DN1 is an important national road in Romania which links Bucharest with the northwestern part of the country... |
|
opened 2009 |