Targeted efforts for improving road infrastructure in the cross border area

The poor quality of the transport systems and mobility difficulties of the cross-border population are the common problems which are targeted by the project. Both neighbouring districts, Dolj and Pleven, are facing the insufficient capacity of the road network and low connectivity at cross-border level. The overall objective of the project is development of road infrastructure in the cross-border area through improving the access between the secondary and tertiary nodes and TEN-T network in the region. The proposed project envisages modernization of two roads – Road 652A, DN 6 Carcea – DN 65 from km 0+000 to km 6+200, Dolj county, and Road III‑118 Gulianci - Dolna Mitropolia from km 14+786 to km 24+150, Pleven district on a total length of 15.564 km. Road 652A in Dolj county connects secondary node (town of Craiova) to TEN‑T network (DN6). Road III‑118 connects tertiary nodes - thе town (municipality) of Gulianci to the comprehensive TEN‑T infrastructure, namely Road E83 (I‑3). The same road section on the other side provides connection between thе town (municipality) of Dolna Mitropolia and the Danube River the ports on the Danube River, namely Somovit, Zagrazhden, ferryboat Nikopol - Turnu Magurele. The road section provides access of the tertiary nodes Gulianci and Dolna Mitropoliya to the TEN-T Network (Danube corridor). Proposed intervention will improve road characteristics which will result in the increasing of the traffic comfort, as well as reduction of transport costs and increasing the road safety. With the proposed project realization the road infrastructure network will be developed and direct connection to the TEN-T network will be facilitated. Modernized road infrastructure will contribute to enhancement of business investments in the cross border region. It will be a prerequisite for development of tourism, trade and other economic activities in the cross border region and for creating additional jobs. Improved road infrastructure will bring together the cross-border communities and will help them overcome their socio-cultural barriers. Enhancement of regional mobility and economic growth will lead, as a consequence, to improvement of the cross border population lifestyle. The project will contribute to one more Programme’s output indicator. A number of joint mechanisms are envisaged to perform, which will contribute to achievement of Programme output indicator I2 for PA1 within the third call. The project is developing 5 (five) joint measures, linked to the Programme output indicator: 1. Facilitation the traffic safety education activities in kindergarten and schools by delivering materials for role-play scenarios that the children might encounter on the road; 2. Awareness adult campaign for speed managing and human tolerance on road – brochures, reflective materials, gadgets, etc.; 3. Driver’s feedback signs will be mounted on the road, in that particular case solar radar speed signs. They are traffic calming devices designed to slow speeders down by alerting them of their speed; 4. Noisy markings for the horizontal edge lines will be used on the road. They will improve the visibility and retro-reflectivity in wet conditions by creating a “stamp” that will improve the road safety while providing the added benefit of a rumble noise when driven over; 5. A common approach on both roads for installing the guardrails reflectors at a smaller distance between them in order to provide much more night time reflectivity. The above mentioned joint mechanisms are also the original aspects that will be implemented through this project. The project expected result is 15.564 km (6.2 km - Dolj and 9.364 km - Pleven) of modernized roads in the cross border area. Realization of the project will considerably contribute to the Programme output indicator I1 for PA1 within the third call – 39.10%. The project will contribute and for one more Programmes output indicator - I2 - Number of joint mechanisms to facilitate the connection of secondary/tertiary nodes to TEN-T infrastructure through implementing of 5 (five) joint mechanisms. Therefore, this project contributes to this output indicator with 5 set of joint mechanisms, meaning 22.73% of the total of 22 mechanisms that represents the target of present call. The project objective will be achieved through the following main activities implemented by the Partners: project preparation, project management, public procurement procedures, information and publicity measures, awareness campaigns, construction works and supervision of the construction works. The common problems of the districts of Dolj and Pleven could only be tackled by joint synchronised actions. Improving road infrastructure on single side of the Danube River will not affect the entire cross-border area, and will become useless. It will only have local impact, but the overall Programme goal for bringing together people, communities and economies of Romania and Bulgaria border region will not be achieved. Actually all the persons living in the cross border area Dolj-Pleven will benefit from the modernized infrastructure. The cross border area population, for the year 2014, amounted 866,493 inhabitants (618,355 inhabitants in Dolj County and 248,138 inhabitants in Pleven District) while the intervention will directly serve 3,424 persons in Dolj and 9,850 persons in Pleven. By working together, these regions can jointly identify and address the specific challenges and opportunities presented by the border between them. Cross-border cooperation in general leads to better relations between the participating countries and regions, fosters people-to-people contacts as well as networks between local communities. It also facilitates the generation of social capital, trust and mutual understanding among the communities on both sides of the borders. The project indicative budget is 9,512,000 euro, out of which 8,000,000 euro eligible (LP-5,512,000euro & PP-4,000,000 euro, the noneligible amount of 1,512,000 will be covered by the LP).

The implementation period of the project ended on 31.12.2023, but because of delays in the implementation of activities by LB, the project was included on the list of un-finalized projects, according to the provisions of the Romanian Government Decision no. 36/2023, following the decision of the Monitoring Committee of the Interreg V-A Ro-Bg Programme, no. 313/14.11.2023. The new completion date of the project is 30.04.2023. The contract for the modernization of Road 652A, DN 6 Carcea – DN 65 from km 0+000 to km 6+200, Dolj County was awarded on 19.12.2018, in the present contract was terminated due to delays in the execution of the works, the stage of execution in January 2023 being 70%. On 26.10.2023, a new works execution contract was concluded with the object of modernizing Road 652A, DN 6 Carcea – DN 65 from km 0+000 to km 6+200. The works started on 06.11.2023 with an execution duration of 3 months. According to the monthly activity report for the month of November 2023, the physical progress recorded was 35% of the rest to be executed. B2-The Implementation of construction works within project ROBG-408 for upgrading of Road III-118 Gulyantsi - Dolna Mitropolia from km 14+786 to km 24+150, Pleven district, are finalized. B2-The contracts for the supply of educational traffic games for children, the supply of gadgets to improve road safety and the provision of services for the implementation of road safety activities and advertising, were awarded by B2 on 08.08.2019 and 08.13.2019. The contracts will be fulfilled after the completion of the works within the project;

The implementation of proposed intervention will involve upgrading the road infrastructure (Road 652A and Road III-118 Gulianci - Dolna Mitropolia). All the people living in the cross border region could use the modernized infrastructure and the increased traffic safety of the Road. Modernization of the road transport infrastructure is of great significance for the development of an economy and the rapid and high-quality accessibility of individual regions, as well as an enhancement of the quality of life of their population. The benefits of upgraded road infrastructure for socioeconomic territorial development may be expressed in two categories. The first ones are the direct benefits for transport road users as well as for the population of the cross border area. The direct benefits include: - time economies, - fuel economies, - reduced vehicle wear, - reduced accident rate. The second are the indirect benefits for the population of the CBC area, which include: - a greater number of job opportunities, - improved environmental conditions (noise, emissions) for the population along roads, - ecological effects on a territory, - increased economic power of the municipalities due to better accessibility to transport, - improved territorial access for the tourist trade and the population's leisure time, - sustainable territorial development. Proposed intervention significantly contributes to the Programme result indicator selected, as the targeted cross border area is densely populated.