Fast trains Brasov – Sighisoara ran less than two hours between Brasov and Sighisoara. In 2023, Intercity trains will run for three hours. Financial blockages, project problems, work progressing too slowly. Association Pro Infrastructure writes about the not very good situation with the works between Brasov and Sighisoara, works that will continue for many more years.

Brasov – Sighisoara railway, lower speed than in 1929

The route between Brasov and Sighisoara, which has not changed for over 145 years, is winding and has many turns that reduce speed. In addition, due to the fact that investment funds have not been allocated during the last decade, the trains run more and more slowly. The reconstruction will shorten the route by 17 km and also add several new tunnels, including almost 7 km.

The modernization work started in 2020, and the total cost will exceed one billion euros.

Brasov – Sighisoara, 128 km, which was the fastest train in the time

1929: 2 hours 28 minutes

1939: one hour and 55 minutes

1970: one hour and 37 minutes

1989: 1 hour 36 minutes

1998: 1 hour 35 minutes

2005: one hour and 43 minutes

2010: 1 hour 53 minutes

2014: 2 hours 24 minutes

2021: 2 hours 57 minutes

2022: 3 hours 5 minutes

Regio trains, which stop at all 20 stations on the route, take 4 hours, with an average speed of 32 km/h. 25 years ago, these trains ran in 2 hours 35 – 2 hours 45 minutes.

Figures from the summer showed only 10% progress in the upgrade work, so it will take years.

What the Pro Infrastructure Association says about the problems

The biggest block was financial (offers submitted in 2017), the first price update was made only in September. Unfortunately, the government only looks at the roads and the GEO-regulated price update has shown a cruel indifference to the rail sector, ignoring important parameters in a much more complex implementation process.

On Lot 3, the list of problems is as long as the construction site, because CFR put a design with gaps on the builder’s table. It usually has to be (almost) perfect and the contractor only has to commission the works (FIDIC Red). Mistakes turn into additional costs of time and money for all of us.

In Sighisoara, we still have the bridge under examination (do we modernize it or demolish it?) and the new line is blocked. Expropriated houses are only now being demolished on the Vânători speedway. Thus, the promotion of “Arcade” is modest compared to what we are used to on other construction sites. At Archita, the hill went uphill, and Aktor froze work, delaying the redesign for a year, which is not yet complete. In the area of ​​the tunnels from Bay, we are re-designing, so there is a backlog. Another blockade in Palosha, the county road has not been moved, the responsibility of the same developer.

In problem-free areas, progress is modest, if any. It is good that new fronts of work have been opened on the route options, but 2022 has been lost. The cold season is just around the corner. We ask Aktor to speed up the pace and not delay in taking advantage of the project with the grants offered by CFR.

What the Pro Infrastructure Association says about the best parts

In Party 2, we are finally better. Before us are works of unprecedented complexity in the history of our railway: two two-track tunnels approximately 5 km and 7 km long. The Racoș Est portal of the Racoș-Ormeniș tunnel (~7 km) is rapidly taking shape. 75% of the first TBM (the “mole” that will be drilled) has been delivered, the rest of the parts are delayed by the low level of the Danube.

Therefore, when it is on fire, the Aktor can mobilize (there is a cost to keeping the TBM “parked”). We hope that the Greeks will step up and the TBMs will be released as soon as possible.

In the Apatza area, construction company Arcada is making modest progress as it prepares to raise the girders for the viaduct near Ormenish. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to lot 1 (Apatsa-Brasov) due to weather conditions.

We hope that entrepreneurs will get a boost from the price adjustments this month and we look forward to the next visit as 2023 is a year that should certainly see significant progress.