Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis, the Prime Minister Ludovic Orban and the Minister of Transport, Lucian Bode, officially inaugurated the Gara de Nord-Otopeni airport line track tests.
“I am inaugurating this new transport connection and as I am sending a strong signal to speed up the infrastructure investments. We must meet the deadlines and keep up with all transport infrastructure projects as there is much to be done in our country,” Klaus Iohannis said.
Two Siemens Desiro diesel multiple units ownd by CFR Calatori will perform track tests on the new Bucharest air-rail link which will provide transport connection between the Henri Coanda International Airport the city’s main railway station.
Previously, other track tests were performed using a train owned by a private railway transport operator.
According to the Minister of Transport, the new line will enter commercial services in December, after all trials will be successfully performed. According to estimations, the time travel to the airport will take 17 minutes.
The 19.5 km line starts from Odaile stop on a 600m-long section, crossing a 900m consolidated section and a 1.52 km viaduct over the National Road 1, to the railway station at the Arrivals Terminal of Henri Coanda airport. The project included the modernisation of a 7.8 km double-track line between Mogosoaia and Balotesti, and the construction of the 3-km rail link to the aiport terminal.
The project on the modernisation of Gara de Nord-Otopeni railway line as the first phase includes the aiport’s T1 terminal connection involves the construction of a 2.95 km single track, three bridges and a 1.52 km viaduct.
RON 398 million (EUR 81.72 million) was the value of the contract signed with Arcada Company which was responsible for the civil constructions and viaduct. Wiebe was responsible for the track superstructure, while Alstom has delivered the telecommunications and signalling systems.
The RON 463 million (EUR 95 million) project has received the European funding.
The Gara de Nord-Otopeni airport line will offer transport links to the Bucharest centre through the metro system as well as surface public transport network. The authorities have plans to construct a metro connection to the airport (Line 6) which will integrate the Bucharest central areas with the airport.
In September, the president has also inaugurated Bucharest metro Line 5 with a length of 7 km and 10 stations.
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