Montana – Dolj : Better access-closer communities

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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, Montana and Dolj, 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 nodes and TEN-T network in the region.  The proposed project envisages modernization of two roads – Road II-81 Kostinbrod-Berkovica-Montana from km 94+000 to km 101+199.48, district Montana, and Road DJ561B Segarcea-Drănic from km 0+000 to km 12+130, Dolj county on a total length of 19.32 km. The Road II-81 Kostinbrod-Berkovica-Montana provides access of a tertiary node the town (also municipality) of Berkovitsa to the TEN-T Network (Road I-1, Road E-79). The Road DJ 561B Segarcea-Drănic provides access of a secondary node the town of Craiova to the TEN-T - ferry Bechet on the Danube river (part of TEN-T Network) and through the ferryboat Bechet – Oryahovo with the tertiary node in Bulgaria - Oryahovo. The Road DJ 561B through the Road DJ 561 makes a connection to National road DN56 (Craiova-Calafat) which is part of TEN – T (E-79). The Road DJ 561B makes a connection with the three nodes in nearest area situated on the TEN-T network– with Craiova (secondary node), Calafat (tertiary node) and Oryahovo (through ferryboat Bechet – Oryahovo).   The proposed Roads on the both side of the Danube River (Road II-81 and Road DJ 561B) bring to one joint Road E-79 from the TEN-T network and the Road E-79 connects the both section proposed for modernization within the present Project. Also the Road E-79 connects the Romanian and Bulgarian nodes. 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 is  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” and will improve the road safety by providing an 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 19.32 km (7.19 km - Montana and 12.13 km - Dolj) 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 - 48.23%. 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 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 Montana and Dolj could only be tackled by joint synchronised actions. Improving road infrastructure from on the 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.  The project indicative budget is 8,000,000.00 euro, 13.49% of the total of 59.281.580,31 euro that represents the objective of the present call, according to the Applicant's Guide, section I.6 Financial Allocation for the call for proposals (page 15). Additional 3,977,369.24 euro cost will be ensured by Beneficiary 2 in order to finance the non-eligible costs of Dolj County council. The modernized roads will serve a total of 67,177 inhabitants, implicitly 10.73% of number of 626,140 population, the total Programme Target.

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