Bucharest-Danube Canal to re-start

The Romanian government has announced plans to re-start construction of the Bucharest-Danube Canal in 2010 with completion expected in 2014, according to Sofia News Agency.

Sorin Ovidiu Cupsa, director of Romania's Navigable Canals Administration, was quoted as saying, "Mid-year 2009, we will finalise the feasibility study and by year-end we are going to select the company in charge of the design, construction and 49-year leasing of this canal."

Construction of the 73 km-long canal, which connects the capital Bucharest with the River Danube via the Argeş River, started in 1987. By December 1989 about 70% of the canal had been completed.

Completion will see Bucharest connected to the Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T), Corridor VII - Rhine/Meuse-Main-Danube inland waterway route.

The canal will allow the transportation of 20 million tonnes of goods per year, and the irrigation of over 150000 ha of agricultural land.