Minister of Transport, Sorin Grindeanu, stated on Thursday that Romania is undergoing a period of major investments in road infrastructure, with approximately 800 kilometers of highways and express roads under construction, a first for our country.
He emphasized that construction sites must continue, and investments should not be halted, even if they lead to a temporary budget deficit.
“At this moment, I believe we are close to having 800 kilometers of highways and express roads under construction. The construction sites must continue,” stated the minister during a press conference.
Massive Investments in Infrastructure
The minister highlighted the significant increase in the budget of the Ministry of Transport over the past three years:
- from 14 billion lei at the beginning of the mandate,
- to 42–43 billion lei currently.
These amounts are primarily directed towards the construction of highways and express roads, which Grindeanu considers essential for the country's economic development and the recovery of historical gaps.
Budget Deficit – a Price for Development
Minister Grindeanu insists that construction sites in Romania must continue at the same accelerated pace and that investments in road infrastructure are key to modernizing the country, even at the cost of temporary budget imbalances.
Grindeanu explained that Romania's high deficit is partially justified by the huge volume of investments in infrastructure: “We are in a situation of increased deficit, but one of the causes, if not the main one, is the fact that a lot has been invested.”
He specified that such investments should not be cut or adjusted, as Romania needs to make up for years of lack of construction in the road sector.
“Romania must continue on the same path. It needs to make up for lost time.”
The statements were made on the occasion of signing the contract for the design and execution of the Miercurea Nirajului – Sărățeni section of the A8 Highway (Unirii), in Mureș County:
- Total length: 23.4 km
- Tunnels: two bidirectional (740 m and 330 m)
- Structures: 36, including two wildlife crossings
- Execution duration: 30 months (6 months for design, 24 months for execution)
- Value: 2.98 billion lei (excluding VAT)
“There are no issues with salary payments, and there are no invoices at the Ministry of Transport that have exceeded the legal payment deadline,” Grindeanu further emphasized.