The Regional Directorate of Roads and Bridges (DRDP) Iași, which is in fact the regional representative of the National Road Infrastructure Administration Company, presented, today, several images from DN 28B, Botoșani – Tg. Beautiful, where the wear layer is laid on the last 870 meters of the modernization project.
According to DRDP Iași, the works were taking place in the area where the calamity points were eliminated, on the border of Iași and Botoșani counties. Other works were carried out on ✅ sidewalk repairs (where applicable) ✅ laying mixtures/connection with side roads, the investment being completed in proportion to 94%. For this reason, DRDP Iași estimates the opening of the road to traffic in July 2024.
Works delayed by a year
In other words, the modernization works of the national road 28B, which connects Botoșani municipality with Târgu Frumos (Iasi county), will be completed one year behind schedule. These are the predictions of those from the National Road Infrastructure Administration Company (CNAIR), who have officially recognized that the estimated date for the receipt of the investment is July 2, 2024. Thus, in an official response to a request from “Monitorul de Botoșani” reporters , CNAIR representatives stated that at the moment the project implementation stage is 95%. “The main works that remain to be carried out within this project are the following – asphalt laying works, completion of work on bridges, completion of consolidation works, completion of access to properties, construction of road markings, installation of vertical signaling elements and protective parapets”it was stated in a response communicated by CNAIR to the “Monitorul de Botoșani” reporters three weeks ago.
Problems generated by landslides
Under these conditions, the estimated date for the completion of the works is June 20, 2024, although the works should have been received since last year. “The main cause of the delays was the active landslides, which required redesign and expertise in order to determine viable solutions”, admitted those from CNAIR. Moreover, at the beginning of this year, when the works were resumed after the cold season, the workers were still working on the execution of the foundation layer with ballast in the Zosin Monastery area (on the section between Copălău and Zaicești), where a wall of support to stop landslides. Another area where work was done was on the border of Lași and Botoşani counties, where the workers were performing several works on the consolidation of the road body with bored piles, but also on the execution of the longitudinal drain. Work was also carried out on the Maxut sector (Iași county), where the road body was being reinforced and parapets were being installed at the bridge ramps at km 37+700.
The cost of execution has increased
In fact, those from CNAIR admitted that there was a need to review the technical solutions in the areas where the consolidation of the road was necessary. “Considering that the affected areas were active in terms of landslides, the solutions were adapted in accordance with the technical expertise carried out on the affected road sectors”, communicated those from CNAIR. In this context, the value of the contract also increased from 267,309,612.02 lei without VAT, as the contract was signed, to 315,780,875.11 lei without VAT currently, the increase being approved in accordance with GEO 64/2022. At a VAT of 19 percent, it follows that the total amount that CNAIR will have to pay to the builders will be 375,779,241.3809 lei. And if we refer to an exchange rate of 5 lei to one euro, the final cost will exceed 75 million euros, that is, an average of about one million euros per kilometer of rehabilitated road. However, at the time of the request submitted by “Monitorul de Botoșani”, CNAIR had paid the builder 221,972,930.87 lei without VAT, i.e. almost 43.5 million euros.
Rehabilitation with European money
The modernization is carried out by the association Antrepriza de Construcții Drumuri si Autostrăzi SRL (leader – former Aqua Parc SRL) – Mavgo Holding SRL – Vahostav SK – Trameco SA. The works involve the modernization of over 71 kilometers, of which about 32 kilometers on the territory of Botoșani County. The project envisages a widening of the roadway, 99 kilometers of concrete ditches and road gullies, 59 new bridges and another 48 rehabilitation, 9 bridges, one of which is new, almost 3 kilometers of sidewalks, 12 parking lots, side road improvements, as well as a series of road safety works including metal guardrails, signs and road markings. The total value of the project was initially set at 365,638,205.87 lei and was financed through the Large Infrastructure Operational Program 2014-2020. Thus, 85% was the contribution of the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund, i.e. 261,704,951.36 lei, and 15% was its own contribution, CNAIR going to participate with 46,183,226.69 lei, the difference up to the total amount representing ineligible expenses including VAT. The duration of the project was set at 97 months, i.e. between December 4, 2015 and December 31, 2023, but the execution term was extended. The contract provides for a 96-month warranty, but the execution costs will be much higher.
image source DRDP Iasi
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