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Category Archives: North Section

Further changes to traffic on the DN1, near the future Bruxelles metro station

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From the night of 4 to 5 November 2026, new temporary traffic management measures will be introduced on Calea Bucureștilor (DN1), in the town of Otopeni, near the future Bruxelles metro station.

The works are needed so that construction of Bruxelles Station, part of the NORTH Section of M6 Metro Line (Tokyo – Aeroport Otopeni), can continue.

How will traffic be affected?

To carry out the works, the metal safety barrier in the road central section will be removed along the section between km 12+760 and km 12+970. A new central barrier will then be installed, the road axis will be relocated and temporary road markings will be applied.

The works in the road central section will be carried out at night only, between 11pm and 5am. During this period, the central lane will be closed in both directions and traffic will run on two lanes in each direction.

Once the road axis has been relocated, traffic will use the existing carriageway and the temporarily prepared area at the edge of the road, with two lanes in the Otopeni – Bucharest direction and three lanes in the Bucharest – Otopeni direction.

What work will be carried out?

The sewerage and rainwater drainage pipes, as well as the telecommunications networks, will be relocated. The road access to the DN1 will also be moved and the boundary of the construction site will be altered, so that work on the structure of Bruxelles Station can continue.

Temporary pedestrian routes will be provided while the utility networks along the pavements are being relocated.
The works are being carried out under the permits issued by CNAIR and the IGPR – Road Directorate.

Advice for traffic participants

Motorists are asked to proceed with caution, to observe the temporary road signs and markings, and to plan their journeys in the area in advance.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank all traffic participants for their understanding and cooperation.

TBM launch: tunnelling begins on the NORTH Section of M6 Metro Line

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The first TBM on the NORTH Section of M6 Metro Line carried out the first rotation of its cutterhead today, marking the start of tunnel excavation on the Tokyo – Aeroport Otopeni segment. The launch of the machine took place during a ceremony that also included a blessing service for the two TBMs, officiated by priests of the Romanian Orthodox Church, on the works platform of the future Brussels metro station.

The ceremony took place in the presence of the General Director of Metrorex S.A., Mariana Miclăuș, and of high-ranking officials, including Mr Ștefan-Ovidiu Popa, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, His Excellency Mr Katae Takashi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Romania, and His Excellency Mr Özgür Kıvanç Altan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to Romania.

The event also brought together representatives of the central and local public authorities, of Metrorex S.A., of the Contractor joint ventures responsible for carrying out the project works, of the subcontractors involved, and of the Consultant Supervisor.

“This day marks a new milestone in the construction of M6 Metro Line. With the start of excavation work on the NORTH Section, the tunnels towards Henri Coandă International Airport are beginning to take shape. This is a major infrastructure project that will significantly improve public transport and the mobility of residents in Bucharest and the wider metropolitan area, and will also connect the capital with the country’s main air gateway, Henri Coandă International Airport. Metrorex S.A. builds for people, for a sustainable future,” said Mariana Miclăuș, General Director of Metrorex S.A.

By tradition, TBMs are named after saints. The machine launched today is called “Sfânta Parascheva”  (‘Saint Parascheva’), the protector of travellers, whose feast day is on October 14, shortly before the launch. It will excavate the first tunnel of the NORTH Section, on Line 1. The name Parascheva means ‘preparation’, a meaningful name for a machine that paves the way for the metro. The second machine, “Sfânta Ecaterina” (‘Saint Catherine’), will excavate the second tunnel, on Line 2. Saint Catherine is the patron saint of engineers, and the wheel, her symbol, recalls the cutterhead that digs the tunnel. Together, the two names represent both those for whom we are building the metro – the passengers – and those who are building it – the engineers.

Tunnelling on the NORTH Section is carried out in two stages, starting from the launch shaft at the future Bruxelles metro station. In the first stage, the tunnels will be excavated towards the future Tokyo metro station, the connection point with the SOUTH Section of the line. Excavation works began today on Line 1 and will follow on Line 2. In the second stage, the machines will be relaunched from Bruxelles future metro station towards Aeroport Otopeni, on each line. The tunnels will provide the connection with the SOUTH Section of M6 Metro Line, as well as the link between the six stations of the NORTH Section: Washington, Paris, Bruxelles, Otopeni, Ion I.C. Brătianu and Aeroport Otopeni.

The TBM “Sfânta Parascheva” is an EPB (Earth Pressure Balance) machine, with a total length of 103 metres (including the back-up train) and a weight of 602 tonnes (shield – 380 tonnes, back-up train – 222 tonnes). The cutterhead has a diameter of 6.57 metres (excavation diameter). The machine is adapted to the geological conditions along the route – sandy clay, Colentina gravels and dusty sand, with the ground water at a depth of 2-7 metres. The estimated average advance is 14 metres per day, equivalent to 10 tunnel rings of 1.4 metres each. As it excavates and removes the soil, the TBM installs the precast concrete rings that form the tunnel.

Watch the video of the event here: https://youtu.be/TIBMcqqUYXM

Temporary closure of a traffic lane on the DN1, near the future Bruxelles metro station

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From 13 October 2026, for a period of 10 days, roadworks will take place at the roadside on the DN1, near the future Bruxelles metro station, on the Otopeni-Bucharest route.

What work will be carried out?
•⁠ ⁠Removal of the existing curb stones;
•⁠ ⁠Milling and resurfacing of the area at the edge of the roadway, in preparation for the next stages.

How will traffic be affected?
•⁠ ⁠Otopeni-Bucharest direction: traffic will be temporarily restricted to two lanes instead of three. Lane 1 and the construction zone will be closed and marked with illuminated beacons. The construction zone will not be open to traffic at this stage.
•⁠ ⁠Bucharest-Otopeni direction: no new restrictions will be introduced.

What happens next?
This is the first stage of the works. The next stages will be announced separately, before they begin.
The works are being carried out with the approval of CNAIR and the IGPR – Road Directorate.

Advice for traffic participants
Please drive carefully, obey temporary road signs and, if possible, plan your journeys in advance.

Thank you for your understanding!

M6 Metro Line – NORTH Section: TBM components are being transported to Bruxelles station

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Metrorex announces that the transport of the components of the two TBMs that will bore the tunnels of M6 Metro Line on the NORTH Section (Tokyo – Aeroport Otopeni) to the construction site of the future Bruxelles metro station has begun.
The two TBMs are EPB (Earth Pressure Balance) machines, each 103 m long and weighing 602 tonnes (including the technological equipment assembly), with a cutterhead diameter of 6.57 m.
Once all the components have been transported and assembled in the launch shaft at Bruxelles station, the TBMs will excavate the two tunnels of the NORTH Section. The estimated average advance is around 14 m per day for each TBM, equivalent to 10 tunnel rings, each 1.4 m wide. The TBMs will pass through layers of sandy clay, Colentina gravels and silty sand, with the water table at a depth of approximately 2–7 m below ground level.

The works are part of the “Bucharest International Airport Rail Access Link Project (Metro Line 6. 1 Mai-Otopeni). Design and Build – Civil Works for Lot 1.2: Tokyo-Aeroport Otopeni”. The transport and preparation of the TBMs for the excavation of the two tunnels of the NORTH Section marks a new important stage in the implementation of the project.

European Mobility Week 2026: the metro, beyond the platform

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Metrorex has opened the Străulești Depot and the metro driver’s cab simulator at Valea Ialomiței station.

Between 16 and 22 September, around 3,000 towns and cities across Europe and beyond marked European Mobility Week, the European Commission’s campaign dedicated to sustainable urban transport. Bucharest and Ilfov concentrated their events on the weekend of 19-20 September, and Metrorex opened the Străulești Depot and the train driving simulator to the public.

A campaign that culminates in Car-Free Day

The “European Mobility Week” campaign takes place every year during the same week, 16-22 September, and concludes on 22 September with World Car-Free Day, when participating cities rethink the way their streets are used, making way for people rather than cars. This year, the organisers have maintained the 2025 message, ‘Mobility for All’, and added a new dimension: intergenerational equity. In short, transport must work for children, adults and older people alike.

At the launch of the campaign, the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said that the decisions we make today – how we travel, how we plan our cities, what we invest in – will determine the kind of mobility that future generations will inherit. The Commissioner took part in the events in Strasbourg and Thessaloniki as part of the CIVITAS Forum 2026.

Bucharest – Ilfov: historic trams, depot tours, the Presidential Train

In the Bucharest – Ilfov region, the programme was coordinated by TPBI, in collaboration with Bucharest City Hall and STB, with the participation of CFR and Metrorex. King Michael I Park served as the starting point for special routes to destinations in Ilfov and hosted bike rides and fanfare concerts. An exhibition of historic public transport vehicles was organised at Basarab Station, featuring special tram and trolleybus services. The STB depot and bus depot on Șoseaua Giurgiului welcomed visitors on guided tours, and at Gara de Nord the public were able to visit the Presidential Train, the Malaxa railcar No. 780, the Royal Salon and the CFR Museum.

Metrorex: #TogetherBeyondThePlatform

Metrorex has chosen to show the public what cannot be seen from the platform. Under the hashtag #TogetherBeyondThePlatform, two series of events were organised on Saturday and Sunday, between 10 am and 1pm, with limited places and advance booking required:

  • At the Străulești Depot, visitors stepped into an area not usually open to the public: the place where the metro trains are ‘based’. They discovered how a depot is organised, just how vast such a space is, and what goes on with the trains when they are not in service. For the youngest visitors, the Metrorex Museum at the Străulești Depot prepared a surprise: they took part in a fibre-optic workshop, where they had the chance to discover, in an interactive and fun way, some of the technologies that make metro transport systems possible.
  • At Valea Ialomiței, at the metro train driver’s cab simulator, participants had the chance to experience a day in the life of a train driver and learn about the responsibilities of this profession. They were able to experience driving the train themselves in a simulated environment and learnt how drivers prepare and train to ensure the safe transport of passengers every day.

M6 Metro Line: the practical test of the European theme

M6 Metro Line is, in practice, Bucharest’s answer to the question asked by the European campaign: what kind of mobility are we giving to future generations?

The 1 Mai – Otopeni Line, comprising 14.2 km of double-track line and 12 stations, will connect the capital’s metro network to Henri Coandă International Airport. A metro line is built once and runs for decades: the line to Otopeni will be used by people who haven’t even been born yet and will take off the road cars that haven’t even been manufactured yet. For the child at the simulator’s controls, the journey to the airport will be a metro ticket; for their parents, a journey time they can rely on; for grandparents, a train they can reach without having to climb any stairs.

M6 is a project for Romania!

The “moles” digging the M6 metro: how a TBM builds the tunnel, ring by ring

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The “moles” of M6 Metro Line dig the earth, bring it to the surface and build the tunnel behind them, almost simultaneously. Their technical name is TBM, from Tunnel Boring Machine.

The TBMs “Sfânta Maria” and “Sfânta Ana”, which are working on the SOUTH Section of M6 Metro Line, weigh around 600 tonnes and have cutterheads roughly 6.60 metres in diameter. In length, they come close to a football pitch. They enter the ground, and behind them they leave a circular, reinforced tunnel, ready for the next stages.

The front of the TBM carries the cutterhead, a huge metal disc fitted with cutting tools. It rotates, breaks up the ground and pushes the material into a chamber where the pressure is controlled at all times. The pressure keeps the excavation face stable and allows the machine to advance under control. From there, the material travels onto a screw conveyor, then onto conveyor belts, and out of the tunnel. It is loaded up and taken to authorised sites.

While digging goes on at the front, the tunnel is already being assembled behind the shield.

Segments and tunnel rings

The TBM advances using hydraulic rams that push against the last ring installed. After each advance, an erector lifts the segments, the precast concrete elements, and sets them side by side until a new ring is closed. A gap remains between the concrete ring and the ground, which is filled by injecting a special grout known as bentonite. The operation fixes the structure in place and helps stabilise the surrounding ground.

Then the cycle begins again: excavate, remove the material, advance the machine, install a ring, inject the grout. And so it goes, a few metres a day, month after month.

How the “mole” knows where to go

Tens of metres underground, orientation has nothing to do with instinct. The TBM has guidance systems, sensors and survey reference points tied to the project coordinates. The operators follow the alignment constantly and can correct the direction with very precise adjustments. From the control cabin they monitor, in real time, the pressure in the excavation chamber, the amount of material extracted and the position of the machine in relation to the designed axis. The operating parameters of the cutterhead and of the hydraulic systems, as well as the operations involved in fitting the rings are added to these are.

Under standard conditions, the TBMs on the SOUTH Section of M6 Metro Line in Bucharest advance at an average speed of approximately 1.5 metres per hour. It doesn’t seem like much, until you see what happens during that hour: the machine excavates around 60 cubic metres of material and prepares for the installation of the tunnel’s permanent structure.

An average of 13 to 14 rings are installed in 24 hours. The teams work in three shifts and the activity is continuous, with the breaks as required for checks and maintenance. The pace varies according to the ground, the recorded parameters and the maintenance work.

Romania’s “moles”: from the metro to tunnels through the mountains

TBM technology is not being used in Romania for the first time. On M5 Metro Line in Bucharest, the excavation was carried out by “Sfânta Varvara” and “Sfânta Filofteia”.

On the Brașov – Sighișoara railway line, on the Apața – Cața subsection, four TBMs are at work, “Eleni”, “Varvara”, “Alexandra” and “Konstantina”, on the Ormeniș and Homorod twin tunnels. The railway machines have a different diameter and work in different geological conditions, but the principle is the same: controlled excavation, removal of the material, immediate installation of the structure and monitoring of the parameters.

The names follow a long tradition in tunnelling projects. Saint Barbara is regarded as the protector of miners and of those who work underground. On M6 Metro Line, the tradition continues with “Sfânta Maria” and “Sfânta Ana”.

What happens at the surface

Although the activity takes place underground, the operation of the TBM is backed by an extensive monitoring system. The pressure in the excavation chamber, the amount of material extracted, the route of the machine and the soil characteristics are checked at all times. In the areas within the zone of influence of the works, special equipment is used to monitor the ground and the buildings.

The underground route to the airport

M6 Metro Line will have 14.2 kilometres of double track and 12 stations, and will create the first direct metro connection between Gara de Nord and Henri Coandă International Airport.

The video shows how the machine advances and how the concrete segments become, ring by ring, the structure of the future tunnel.

Press “Play” and step inside a TBM for a few minutes.

JICA monitoring mission on M6 Metro Line, an investment with government, European and Japanese funds

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Between 17 and 19 August 2026, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) carried out a new mission in Bucharest to monitor the project co-financed through the ROM-P5 loan agreement for M6 Metro Line.


“Bucharest International Airport Rail Access Link Project (Metro Line 6. 1 Mai – Otopeni)” is a project of considerable local relevance, with a significant regional and international impact.

On behalf of JICA, one of the strategic funders of the M6 project, the delegation was led by Ms Hiroko Amano, Deputy Director within the Europe Division of the Department for the Middle East and Europe. During the visit, the JICA delegation held working meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Finance, the Embassy of Japan in Romania, the supervisor, the contractors for Lot 1.1 and Lot 1.2, appointed for the design and build of the civil works, and the contractor for Package 2, appointed for the design and execution of the architectural works, railways, electromechanical and low-current installations.

The agenda of the mission included progress meetings to review the status of the project’s implementation and to secure the necessary budget allocations, as well as site visits. The Metrorex team, coordinated by Director General Mariana Miclăuș, presented the status of the works on the sites of the future M6 Metro Line. During these visits, the progress achieved and the next stages of the project were reviewed. In order to strengthen safety management in construction, the JICA mission paid particular attention to occupational safety, organising a seminar on the subject.

“Bucharest International Airport Rail Access Link Project (Metro Line 6. 1 Mai – Otopeni)” is a public utility project of national interest, in accordance with Government Decision no. 496/2017, as subsequently amended and supplemented, which addresses people’s mobility needs through the development of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T). The design and execution of the North Section of the new M6 Metro Line is financed from the state budget and from refundable external funds, through the external loan granted by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).

The dialogue reconfirmed the importance of the strategic Romanian-Japanese partnership and the shared commitment to developing the BUCHAREST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT RAIL ACCESS LINK PROJECT (METRO LINE 6. 1 MAI – OTOPENI) infrastructure project, a major investment landmark that is representative of the successful partnership between the two countries.

Temporary traffic restrictions in the area of the future Washington Station of M6 Metro Line

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Starting on the night of 13/14 July 2026, a new stage of temporary traffic restrictions comes into force in the area of the junction between Șoseaua București – Ploiești (DN1) and Jandarmeriei Street, required for the utility relocation works for the future Washington Station of M6 Metro Line.

The following traffic restrictions will apply during this stage:
• the left turn from Jandarmeriei Street towards Otopeni is closed;
• straight-ahead movement on the Bucharest exit slip road of the Jandarmeriei overpass is closed.

The restrictions are imposed on the basis of the joint approval issued by C.N.A.I.R. and I.G.P.R., valid until 31 December 2026, with the possibility of an extension depending on how the works progress.

Traffic participants are asked to drive carefully, to observe the temporary road signs and to use the alternative routes indicated in the area.

We apologise for this inconvenience and thank all traffic participants for their understanding and cooperation.

Updated information on the progress of the works and on traffic restrictions will be published periodically on the official website of the project and on the communication channels of M6 Metro Line.

From university lecture halls to Romania’s major infrastructure projects

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At the initiative of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, in partnership with Metrorex, a group of future specialists took part in a progress meeting dedicated to the M6 Metro Line project, alongside representatives of the beneficiary, the contractors and the consultant supervisor.

The participants, whose educational background covers fields such as law, transport, public administration and business, had the opportunity to observe how the stages of a large-scale infrastructure project are coordinated, and to understand, directly from experienced professionals, the planning, collaboration and management processes required to implement a strategic investment.

The meeting provided a framework for dialogue between academic community and the specialists involved in implementing the project, highlighting the importance of practical experience in complementing theoretical knowledge and in training the next generation of infrastructure professionals.

Such initiatives help to strengthen the collaboration between public institutions and universities, giving young people the opportunity to understand the challenges and responsibilities involved in implementing complex projects that have a direct impact on the development of communities and on urban mobility.

Closer to the city, closer to the future: how M6 Metro Line brings people nearer to their opportunities

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For a family in Otopeni or in the north of Ilfov county, the journey to Bucharest is not just a few kilometres on a map. It means mornings spent in traffic, time lost on the road, less hours with the family and, sometimes, opportunities that are harder to access.

That is why sustainability is not just about cleaner air, lower emissions or more efficient technical solutions. It means easier access to work, to school, to services and to the places where everyone builds their future.

Seen in that light, M6 Metro Line is more than just a metro line. It is a new connection between communities and the city, between home and workplace, between school and family, between the present and tomorrow’s opportunities.

Commuting is not just lost time

The daily journey to work or to school has a greater impact than it might seem at first sight. A study carried out by researchers Raj Chetty and Nathaniel Hendren at Harvard University, based on data from around 40 million people, has shown that commuting time is one of the most important factors associated with the chances of social mobility. The conclusion is that when people have access to reliable, predictable and affordable transport, they are more likely to secure better jobs, access education and essential services.

The same idea is also supported by mobility experts. The International Transport Forum, part of the OECD family, emphasises that the role of transport is to bring education, healthcare, jobs and everyday activities closer to people.

Quality transport does more than simply move people from one place to another. It gives them greater freedom of choice. It makes everyday life easier. It opens up routes that might otherwise seem too long or too difficult to travel.

A young community, growing fast

The area around M6 Metro Line is one of the most dynamic in Romania. Between the 2011 and 2021 censuses, Ilfov County recorded one of the highest population growth rates in the European Union, at around 40%. At the same time, Ilfov is the youngest county in Romania, with an average age of 38.6 years.

Behind these figures are people: young families, children, parents who work in Bucharest, pupils and students who commute every day, growing communities that need better connections with the city.

However, this development also brings challenges. More and more people are travelling between Ilfov and Bucharest every day, and the roads are becoming increasingly congested. For a pupil attending secondary school in the capital, for a student, or for a parent who works in the city, every hour spent in traffic is an hour taken away from their personal time, their leisure time, and their family life.

How M6 is making a difference to the community

This is where M6 Metro Line comes in. On the North Section, Lot 1.2 Tokyo – Aeroport Otopeni, the new metro line will connect the northern area of the capital and the town of Otopeni with the Bucharest metro network and with Henri Coandă International Airport.

Stations such as Bruxelles, Otopeni, Ion I.C. Brătianu and Aeroport Otopeni will bring high-capacity public transport closer to the communities that need it daily.

For the people living near the metro line, this means greater predictability. A teenager will be able to reach secondary school or university more easily. A parent will be able to get to work without depending constantly on the car or on road traffic. A family with a single car, or with no car at all, will have more options.

It also means more equitable access to opportunities. Because when public transport becomes more accessible and efficient, opportunities no longer depend so much on distance, traffic or whether or not one owns a car.

More than transport

The benefits of a metro line do not stop at the time saved on the journey. Modern transport infrastructure can support the development of the areas around the stations, encourage new services to appear, attract investments and connect the communities better.

Over time, the areas around the stations can become livelier, more accessible and better integrated into city life. Places where people do not just pass through, but live, work, learn and make plans.

A metro that brings people closer

M6 Metro Line is not just an investment in infrastructure. It is an investment in saved time, in easier access, in mobility and in better chances for the community.

Through this new link with Bucharest and with Henri Coandă International Airport, people in the northern area of the capital and in Otopeni will be closer to the places where they work, study and build their future.

Today we are building the infrastructure that will bring tomorrow communities closer to their opportunities. Because a sustainable city is, above all, a city in which people can reach one another more easily.