The executive director of the Pro Infrastructure Association, Ionuţ Ciurea, says that it is essential to consolidate the foundation of Transfagarasan, that it would not be effective for the road to be opened throughout the year, and for a massive growth of tourism, several accommodation units are needed.
Transfăgărășan, the most spectacular road in the world Photo Salvamont Argeș
After a few decades during which almost nothing has invested, at the beginning of 2026 the modernization works in Transfăgărășan could start, considered by many as the most spectacular road in the world.
Three years ago, officials of the National Company for Management Administration (CNAIR) made the decision to modernize Transfagarasan.
In October 2023, the winner of the auction was appointed for carrying out the documentation of approval of the intervention works (DALI), being the company CONEX XXI. The value of the contract amounts to 8.4 million lei (excluding VAT), 40% of the financing being provided from European funds.
And the representatives of CNAIR have stated for the “Adevărul” which is currently the situation of the project.
“The feasibility study on the modernization of Transfagarasan was completed, but it has not yet been approved within the CNAIR technical-economic commission, because the road was closed in accordance with the regulations in force, the contract was suspended during this period, and the provider could not go to the field”representatives from CNAIR said.
Regarding the concrete start of the modernization works, CNAIR officials also say that it cannot be established yet once accurate. This is because there are three stages of travel: the launch of the auction, the designation of the winning company and to solve the possible appeals. Most likely, a feasible term would be in the first quarter of 2026.
From a technical point of view, the modernization of Transfăgărășan will include consolidations, polate construction, water drainage system, lanes for slow vehicles, where the site allows.
Tourist, the modernization of Transfagărășan will include, among other things, the creation of several spaces for traders and the arrangement of short -term parking lots.
“It makes no sense that Transfagarasan will be kept open all year”
“If Transfagarasan is modernized, I do not think that tourism will increase much more, because you do not just have the road, you must also have the related facilities, a much larger tourist infrastructure. And I do not know how advisable to build there. This is quite complicated and connected. The road must first and first of all. A colossal financial effort for the modernization of Transfagărășanului ”says Ionuț Ciurea, executive director of the Pro Infrastructure Association.
Image 1/10:
Panoramic image from Transfagărășan photo pixabay
In his opinion, it is hard to believe that Transfagarasan could be opened throughout the year.
“It does not make sense to be kept open all year, especially in certain periods of the year, when it is very snowing. It is not on Transfagarasan a fantastic tourist infrastructure that will ask for something, such as, for example, on the Prahova Valley. Of course, there is something else. The road is very high. the road.adds Ionuț Ciurea.
The director of the Pro Infrastructure Association also considers that “A problem on Transfagărășan is the Bâlea tunnel, which obviously must be modernized. Maybe it should be expanded. The extension and modernization of the Bâlea tunnel would be the only major work that would be worth doing on Transfagarasan.”
How long did the Transfagaras of the Transfagarasan
Considered by many specialists the most beautiful road in the world, Transfagărăşan offers unforgettable images every season. Jeremy Clarkson, one of the filmmakers of the famous Top Gear show, said, in 2009, after the Transfagărăşan, that he went by car on the “worst road in the world”.
In the show that Top Gear – Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May – made it in our country 16 years ago, they said about Transfăgăraşan that it is the most amazing road they saw in their lives.
“This is the best road in the world! Romania, thank you for having this road! Could we stay here forever?”said 16 years ago Jeremy Clarkson.
Built during four years, in the period 1970-1974, Transfăgărășanul has a total length of 151 kilometers, ascending to an altitude of 2,042 meters in the Bâlea glacial heat, being the second road in Romania, as height, after Transalpina, which crosses the Parang Mountains from the Southern Carpathians, reaching a maximum altitude of 2,145 meters.
Transfăgărășanul begins in the village of Arefu in Argeş county, at kilometer 61 of DN 7C, ending in Cârţişoara (Sibiu), at the intersection with DN1. On the entire route of the road, no less than 27 bridges and viaducts were made in total, as well as the Bâlea tunnel, the longest tunnel in our country (887 meters), which crosses Mount Paltinu. The ventilation of the tunnel is done naturally due to the extremely powerful air currents.
