The Romanian Government has launched the project to build a subway in Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca, according to information communicated today by the Minister of Transport. This is the first subway/metropolitan train project supported by the Romanian Government outside the capital of Bucharest and will run along: Gilău – Floresti – Cluj-Napoca – Baciu – Apahida – Jucu – Bonțida – Magistrala I.
”I was honored to present at the Government meeting last night, in front of Prime Minister Ludovic Orban and my colleagues from the Cabinet, the Government Decision Project for the approval of the Fundamental Notice regarding the need and opportunity to pay the expenditure related to the investment project,” Lucian Bode, Minister of Transport communicated on his Facebook page.
The estimated value of the project is approximately EUR 1 billion, and the funding will be provided as needed by legally approved public investment programs, non-refundable external funds, local budgets and other legal sources.
The new line has a length of 14.4 kilometers and 14 subway stations that will serve the Cluj-Napoca Municipality and Floresti. The new subway project also targets the development of the border areas Gilău and Floresti. The subway will also include a connection with the future Emergency Regional Hospital as well as a connection with the CFR train station and Cluj-Napoca International Airport via the future metropolitan train.
After the approval of the government decision, a feasibility study will be conducted to determine the exact technical and financial requirements. The total value of the project is expected to be RON 33.4 million (secured through the budgets of Cluj-Napoca and Floresti), from which RON 11.1 million will be spent on the feasibility study.
”This is a historic moment, when, for the first time in Romania, we are launching a subway project outside of Bucharest. I would like to congratulate the City Hall of Cluj-Napoca for its initiative and determination, and, at the same time, ensure all the support of the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure and Communications for what is a new approach to transport infrastructure, namely the involvement of a local government in the preparation, implementation and operation of these types of projects,” communicated Lucian Bode, Minister of Transport.
”I confidently state that this project is a road-opener for other large municipalities and metropolitan areas with a population of over 300,000, for example, Timisoara, Iasi, Brasov, Constanta, Sibiu,” the minister added.
In Europe, the construction of one kilometer of subway costs EUR 300 million. From the yearly budget of Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca (EUR 346 million), a total of 1.2 kilometers of subway can thus be built.
Featured photo: Wikipedia
