Transport Ministry sends to EC request for funding North Railway Station-Otopeni Airport subway project worth EUR 1.4bn

The Ministry of Transport has approved and submitted to the European Commission, on December 24, the Application for funding the major project ‘The connection of the subway network to Henri Coanda – Otopeni International Airport (Connection 6, Mai  1 – Otopeni),” a press release from the ministry informs.

The subject of the funding request is to ensure a direct connection between Bucharest and Otopeni, respectively between Bucharest Gara de Nord (North Railway Station) and Henri Coanda International Airport, by building a new subway line with a length of 14.2 km and 12 subway stations. The total project value is EUR 1,391,634,272.

The Connection 6 (M6) is currently under designing and the environment agreement was issued in October 2017. The Transport Authorities have also announced that the tender for the execution of works could take place in early 2018, hotnews.ro informs.

Recently, two of the most active civic associations in the transport sector have severely criticized Transport Minister Felix Stroe, who said that the M6 subway to Otopeni Airport will be ready by 2020, “before the start of the European Football Championship”.

“We believe these statements are completely irresponsible and unrealistic,” the Association replied.

“It’s a totally irresponsible statement, a lie and a fantasy promise without any support that seriously misinforms,” the association claims.

“On November 22, 2017, Metrorex officials offered the 48-month, 4-year (!) deadline from the start of the works, to complete M6 Bus connection! Even this deadline is very optimistic if we look at the way the contracts for M4 and M5 have unfolded,” Pro Infrastructura association said.