CNAIR has completed excavation work on the “Bear Tunnels” on the A1 motorway

Excavation of the two tunnels on the Margina–Holdea motorway section in Timiș County was officially completed on Friday, following the final breakthrough of the second tunnel. Work on the lot, valued at more than 1.8 billion lei, has reached approximately 76% completion.

The tunnels, known as the “Bear Tunnels,” are the largest built on the A1 motorway and were necessary to protect the environment and allow animals to move above the road. The contractual deadline for completing the lot is July 2027, but authorities say traffic could be opened earlier, in the spring of next year.

The section between Holdea and Margina was initially due to be completed approximately ten years ago. The original technical solution did not address environmental issues, so the section was removed from the old contract and relaunched separately. After years of delays, tenders and project modifications, the current contract was signed in 2022.

The final breakthrough was marked at the construction site in the presence of the interim Minister of Transport, Deputy Prime Minister Radu Miruță, several state secretaries and hundreds of workers. CNAIR management presented the event as a sign that the project is nearing completion.