Romania's Longest Highway Tunnel Nears Completion

The longest highway tunnel in Romania, located on the A1 Margina - Holdea section, has been fully excavated. This marks a significant milestone, with the tunnel expected to be completed in the first half of next year.

Drivers will soon enjoy uninterrupted travel on the A1, stretching from Sibiu to Nădlac at the western border, covering over 360 kilometers. The Margina - Holdea tunnel comprises two long galleries of 1,985 meters and 1,825 meters, making it the most extensive highway tunnel constructed in the country to date.

The project has been a massive undertaking, involving two years of continuous work in the mountains, utilizing ten work fronts and a dedicated workforce of 900 people. Currently, the physical progress of the project has surpassed 75%, with concrete lining advancing at a rate of 20 meters per day.

The construction team is actively installing beams on bridges and viaducts, while the first layer of asphalt is being laid on multiple sections of the site. After the complete concrete lining of the tunnels, the next phase will involve the installation and testing of safety systems.

The two tunnels are being constructed by the Romanian company UMB in collaboration with a Bosnian firm experienced in tunneling. Both tunnels are being bored using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), with walls reinforced by metal mesh and shotcrete.

This ambitious project was initiated in response to an environmental agreement established in 2013, which mandated the construction of tunnels to preserve transit corridors for large mammals. As the project moves forward, it promises to enhance connectivity and support sustainable development in the region.