The first work site I visited after returning from my short leave was Section 3 of the northern stretch of Bucharest's A0 ring road, announced a representative of the Ministry of Transport on Tuesday evening. The purpose of the visit was to maintain pressure on the contractor, thereby encouraging completion of the road as quickly as possible in order to open it to traffic. According to the official statement, the intensity of work on this section has somewhat improved over the past two weeks; however, progress is still not considered satisfactory. It is especially important to further accelerate earthworks as long as weather conditions allow for efficient work, explained Scrioșteanu. He also provided a detailed update on the current status of construction on the northern Section 3:
- Laying the asphalt base layer is in progress, with 800 meters completed so far.
- Land preparation and foundation works have reached 99.3% completion.
- Construction of the 26 culverts is almost fully finished, with 97.62% completed.
- 630,000 cubic meters of stabilized embankment have been built, representing 84% of the planned volume.
- Approximately 65% of the gravel bedding thickness has been completed, and the foundation gravel layer has reached 55% completion.
- 22% of the hydraulically stabilized natural material layer has been completed.
The construction of the road drainage system is also ongoing. Additionally, work is in progress on the installation of the traffic management system (ITS) and public lighting. At the e-vignette’s overpass above the DN2, reinforcement of the surface continues, and the construction of the connecting ramp embankments is underway on both sides. Earthworks for the interchange ramps at DN2 are nearing completion. Technical preparation for the overpass above the DC27 main road, as well as the work required for installing the superstructures and beams, is ongoing. At the bridge above DJ300, the beams have already been installed, and currently, rebar for the supports and ramp construction are being carried out. At the crossing over the CF800 (Bucharest-Constanța railway), installation of supports has started, ramp filling continues, and next week, installation of the beams will begin. At the overpass above DN3, drilling work can commence after utility relocation is complete. Utility relocations at the CF800 and DN2 interchange sections have already been completed, while at the locations beneath DC27, DJ300, and DN3, they are nearing completion. The official emphasized that monitoring this section is particularly important; therefore, he will return periodically until the project is finished to motivate the contractor and ensure that as little time as possible elapses between individual openings. They are also examining the possibility of establishing a temporary interchange under DN3—similar to the one at DN2—so that Section 4 could potentially be opened earlier, and Section 3 could also be opened to traffic as soon as works are completed. The Bucharest ring road, specifically Section 3 of the A0 North, stretches between Afumați and Pantelimon.
