Bucharest Mayor Ciprian Ciucu says that the city needs major infrastructure works, even though the ongoing construction sites are further complicating traffic. And the situation is at risk of becoming more difficult with the start of the new school year.
The City Hall has discussed with the Police, constructors, and utility operators to find specific solutions in areas where the works affect traffic.
"It was normal to have construction sites, Bucharest needs infrastructure works. If we hadn't had these construction sites, the situation would have been even worse over time," stated Ciprian Ciucu on Thursday evening at B1 TV.
The mayor cited the example of the new trams purchased by the municipality, which would have suffered if they had continued to run on the old infrastructure.
"The trams purchased by the Bucharest City Hall, new trams, were breaking down because they were running on concrete. So, it was not an option not to have construction sites; a city undergoing transformation needs construction sites," explained the mayor.
What changes before the start of school
Ciucu said that authorities have analyzed each construction site and each section that could cause traffic problems, together with representatives of the Capital Police, constructors, and utility operators.
Depending on the situation on the ground, measures may involve releasing a traffic lane, sending additional teams from the Local Police or National Police, or modifying traffic lights in highly congested areas.
"We took each construction site, each section, to see what specific solutions are available to ease the situation," said the mayor.
However, Ciucu maintains that the works could not have been postponed. "Bucharest does not look like a European capital, Bucharest needs works, it has not had serious works for a very, very long time, and Bucharest is transforming," he stated.
The mayor cited the example of Drumul Taberei, where, after a long period of construction, the area was organized.
How long will the construction sites last
However, Bucharest residents will have to continue to endure the discomfort caused by the works. According to Ciprian Ciucu, in some areas, the construction sites and associated restrictions will last for approximately another year.
For major infrastructure projects, the period of discomfort can extend up to two years.