Austrian contractor PORR reports major progress on the construction of the Momaia tunnel, the first drilled structure of its kind on a Romanian highway, located on the Curtea de Argeș section of the Sibiu-Pitești motorway. The project, valued at approximately EUR 302.22 million (excluding VAT), utilizes NATM technology and is in an advanced stage, with premises for opening traffic on this 9.8 km lot during 2026, ahead of the contractual deadline set for 2027.
The tunnel, with a length of 1.35 km, consists of two parallel galleries drilled using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), which involves sequential excavation and structural reinforcement through layers of shotcrete. The gallery for the Pitești – Sibiu direction was breached on March 3, 2025, followed by the one for the Sibiu – Pitești direction on April 14, 2025. The structure includes three emergency connections between the galleries, namely two pedestrian passages and one for vehicles. The contract is funded through the 2021-2027 Transport Program, with a value of RON 1.54 billion, equivalent to EUR 302.22 million. The contractor estimates the completion of works on this lot in August of the current year, with the schedule advancement being possible due to the current execution pace and site mobilization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What technology is being used for the Momaia tunnel construction?
The tunnel is built using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), which involves sequential excavation and reinforcement with shotcrete.
When is the traffic expected to open on this highway section?
While the contractual deadline is 2027, the current progress suggests that traffic could open during 2026.
What are the technical specifications of the Momaia tunnel?
The tunnel is 1.35 km long, consisting of two parallel galleries with three emergency connections (two pedestrian and one vehicular).