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Category Archives: South Section

Effective Dialogue within the Romania – Japan Strategic Partnership

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On 23.06.2025, at the Parliament Palace, the strategic document of cooperation in the field of Transport, Energy and Digitalization was signed, between the Government of Japan, represented by His Excellency Mr. Akiyoshi KATO – Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Government of Romania, represented by Mrs. Mariana IONIȚĂ – Secretary General at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.

During the signing ceremony of the strategic document, which took place at the Palace of the Parliament, the parties involved presented their own strategies in the field of Transport, Energy and Digitalization, the projects currently being implemented, as well as future strategic projects that will lead to sustainable development in the above-mentioned strategic areas.

The General Director of Metrorex, Mariana Miclăuș, took part in the dialog on the occasion of this event together with H.E. Takashi KATAE – Ambassador of Japan in Romania.

After the signing ceremony of the strategic document on cooperation in the field of Transport, Energy and Digitalization, the Japanese delegation made a series of thematic working visits, including to the future M6 Metro Line, financed from the Romanian state budget, through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and reimbursable external funds, through the National Recovery and Resilience Program (PNRR) and the ROM-P5 Loan Agreement granted by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).

Japanese officials, members of the Japanese Parliament and representatives of some Japanese companies in the region visited the future metro stations Aeroport Băneasa, SOUTH section and Aeroport Otopeni, NORTH section of the future M6 Metro Line. The visit was hosted by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, by the General Director of Metrorex, Mrs. Mariana Miclăuș, by representatives of the contractors involved in the realization of the two sections of the project: Lot 1.1, ALSIM ALARKO – MAKYOL Joint Venture (SOUTH Section, 1 Mai -Tokyo), and Lot 1.2, GULERMAK – SOMET Joint Venture (NORTH Section, Tokyo-Aeroport Otopeni), as well as the project’s Supervisor, PADECO Co., Ltd. – ORIENTAL CONSULTANTS GLOBAL Co., Ltd. – METROUL S.A. Joint venture.

The airports are open gates to the world, so both objectives visited are representative for the local, regional and international character of the future M6 Metro Line, but also for the strategic partnership between Romania and Japan.

Locally, the future M6 Metro Line will increase the mobility of the population of the Bucharest metropolitan area and the city of Otopeni, regionally it integrates regional air, rail and road transport flows, being the first direct rapid link between Gara de Nord and Otopeni Airport, and internationally it represents a main intermodal connection hub in the trans-European transport network designed to meet the EU objectives in terms of sustainable mobility.

We thank our Japanese partners for their continued support for the development of metro infrastructure!

METROREX welcomes future specialists

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Metrorex and the contractors of the new metro line consider collaborations with academic community extremely important.
The information that students acquire at university is the basis of their training as future specialists, but the essence of the construction profession is par excellence a concrete, applied one, based on good practice and the judicious application of theoretical knowledge.

Metrorex and the Alsim Alarko – Makyol Joint Venture, the Contractor appointed for the design and build of the resistance structure, galleries and tunnels for the SOUTH Section of the future M6 Metro Line 6, 1 Mai – Tokyo, hosted a visit of students from the Faculty of Geology and Geophysics of the University of Bucharest.

Students attending the second and third year of the undergraduate program, accompanied by professors, received relevant information from the Constructor’s specialists at two of the construction sites of the SOUTH Section: the future Tokyo metro station, where the two TBM machines, “Sfânta Maria” and “Sfânta Ana”, are operational, and the future Gara Băneasa metro station.

„Sfânta ANA” TBM AT START!

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The second operational TBM machine on the South Section of M6 Metro Line goes into action.It also runs from the future Tokyo metro station to 1 Mai, excavating the second tunnel on the SOUTH Section.

Being named “Sfânta Ana”, an emblematic spiritual symbol, the TBM that will dig the twin tunnel that the TBM “Sfânta Maria” is drilling, is 105 meters long, weighs about 600 tons, and its cutter head is about 6.60 meters in diameter.

The TBM’s average forward speed is 1.5m per hour, excavating about 60 cubic meters of soil.
As it excavates and removes the excavated soil, the TBM mounts the tunnel rings. The tunnel rings are transported by MSV (Multi Service Vehicle), a special transport vehicle that can carry up to 50 tons.
The average fitting is 13 to 14 rings per tunnel in 24 hours.
The staff operating the TBM work 24 hours a day in three shifts.
Except for necessary maintenance breaks, the TBM runs continuously.

We wish the TBM “Sfânta Ana” a smooth and efficient journey through the underground!

The first TBM machine operational on the South Section of M6 Metro Line is ready to start

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The first operational TBM on the SOUTH Section of M6 Metro Line is ready for start. During a launching ceremony attended by officials, Metrorex representatives, JICA representatives, representatives of the Contractor appointed for the execution of the contract “Bucharest International Airport Rail Access Link Project (Metro Line 6. 1 Mai-Otopeni). Design and Build – Civil Works for Lot 1.1: 1 Mai-Tokyo”, and representatives of the Consultant Supervisor, the cutter head of the giant machine makes today its first rotation marking the start of drilling activities from the future metro station Tokyo to the existing metro station 1 Mai.

Usually, the TBM machines are named with names of saints. The TBM to start at today’s launch ceremony to mark this momentous occasion is called ‘Sfânta Maria’ – the symbol of divine protection and care for all humanity. Next to it will be active the second shield, named “Sfânta Ana”, another iconic figure of Orthodox spirituality, representing wisdom, patience and steadfast faith. The machine bearing the name “Sfânta Maria” was brought to Romania close to September 8, the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The second TBM is called “Sfânta Ana”, as the holidays follow one another in the calendar.
The two machines will excavate the 6.6 km-long underground tunnels through which will be built the six stations and six interstations on the alignment of the M6 Metro Line, Section SUD, 1 Mai – Tokyo.

„This day marks a new milestone in the accomplishment of M6 Metro Line, a major urban infrastructure project that will significantly improve public transport, people’s mobility, road traffic and people’s lives. It is an important day for Bucharest and for the extension of the metro network. With financing from the state budget, European funds and JICA reimbursable external funds, Metrorex S.A. is among those who are building for the people, for Romania, for a sustainable future”, says Mariana Miclăuș, General Manager of Metrorex.

The “Sfânta Maria” TBM is 97 meters long, weighs about 600 tons and has a 6.60-meter drill head. The TBM’s average forward speed is 1.5 meters per hour, during which it excavates about 60 cubic meters of earth. As it excavates and removes the excavated soil, the TBM mounts the tunnel rings.
The tunnel rings are transported by MSV (Multi Service Vehicle), a special transport vehicle that can carry up to 50 tons. The average installation rate is 13 to 14 rings per tunnel in 24 hours and the staff operating the TBM work 24 hours in three shifts. Except for necessary breaks for maintenance, the TBM runs continuously.

In the period following the start of operation of the “Sfânta Maria” TBM, the “Sfânta Ana” TBM will also become operational. It will also start from the future Tokyo metro station towards 1 Mai, excavating the second tunnel on the SOUTH Section.

Mariana Miclăuș
General Manager Metrorex S.A.

Information

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Today, April 6, 2025, around 10:00 a.m., during testing procedures on the TBM machine at the future Tokyo metro station, a worker became unbalanced and slightly injured. He was taken to hospital and the authorities were notified. The worker is out of danger.

Metrorex signed the contract for Package 2 of M6 Metro Line

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Metrorex has signed today, March 26, 2025, the contract for “Bucharest International Airport Rail Access Link Project (Metro Line 6. 1 Mai – Otopeni). Package 2: Design and execution of architectural works, railway track, electromechanical and low currents installations”.

The contract has been signed between Metrorex and the Joint Venture SOMET S.A., SALCEF S.p.A., THEDA MAR DESIGN S.R.L., TIAB S.A., UTI CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT S.A., ALTIMATE S.A., in the presence of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Mariana Ioniță.

“The signing of this contract is an important step in the development of a modern and efficient metro network. “Bucharest International Airport Rail Access Link Project (Metro Line 6. 1 Mai – Otopeni)” will respond to one of the most important needs of citizens: connectivity between the most important railway gateway, gara București Nord, and the most important airport in the country, Henri Coandă International Airport.

Within this contract, which will have a direct impact on the comfort and efficiency of public transportation in the Bucharest-Ilfov area, architectural works, railways track, electromechanical and low-current systems will be realized. M6 Metro Line is a complex project that will make it easier for thousands of passengers to travel, significantly reducing travel times and helping to ease road traffic congestion. This project is also a clear proof of Metrorex’s commitment to the development and modernization of the transport infrastructure in order to offer citizens a faster, safer, more efficient and environmentally friendly system.

Once again, I am confident that this collaboration between the authorities, contractors, partners and metro employees will bring very good results, and the works will be completed to the agreed quality standards and within the set deadlines”, said Mariana Miclăuș, Metrorex General Manager, at the contract signing event.

The execution period of the contract is 44 months and includes design, execution, authorization and related activities, in accordance with the legislation in force.

The contract was tendered out through an open bidding procedure, in SEAP, on the basis of the award criterion “Best value for money”.

The value of the contract is 1,667,516,058.64 lei, excluding VAT. The financing sources of the contract are provided from the State Budget funds, through the budget of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, as well as from other legally constituted sources, within the limit of the amounts approved annually for this purpose, according to the public investment programs approved by law.

The first TBM gets ready for action at the future Tokyo metro station

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On the SOUTH SECTION of the future M6 Metro Line, 1 Mai – Tokyo, work continues at a fast pace in the area of the station and launch shaft of the future Tokyo metro station.

You can watch the preparatory activities here: https://youtu.be/vS_hpws7dIM

TBM equipment has been unloaded in the area of the future metro station and assembly procedures have started.

Tunnel boring will start in April.

Bucharest International Airport Rail Access Link Project (Metro Line 6. 1 Mai – Otopeni) is moving ahead towards new milestones.

The first TBM components are located at the future Tokyo metro station

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Three huge components of the first TBM that will bore one of the tunnels of the M6 Metro Line, on the SOUTH Section, 1 Mai – Tokyo, have been brought to the future Tokyo Metro station on the night of March 03-04.

In the link you can see the transportation and unloading operations: https://youtu.be/NErvNZNaM1A

Among the components brought in, the TBM’s 128-ton mechanical shield is now at the construction site where the giant machine is to be assembled.

Once the transportation of all the component parts has been completed, the giant ‘mole’ will be assembled in the space from where it will start operating underground 24/7.

The TBM installation period is expected to start next week and last about a month.

The first mole on the SOUTH Section, 1 Mai – Tokyo, is heading for the starting point

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The first “mole” that will dig one of the two tunnels of the M6 Metro Line, on the SOUTH Section, within the framework of the contract “Bucharest International Airport Rail Access Link Project (Metro Line 6. 1 Mai-Otopeni). Design and Build – Civil Works for Lot 1.1: 1 Mai-Tokyo”, is heading to the future Tokyo metro station, starting tonight.

For a giant, agabaritic machine like the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine), preparations involve successive stages, starting with transportation to the starting point of the tunnel boring (the future Tokyo subway station), continuing with the assembly of the parts of the “mole” in the special space set aside for this process, and ending with the moment when the machine can start the actual work of digging the tunnel 24/7.

Starting tonight, March 3 – 4, the component parts of the TBM will be transported throughout the week. The mechanical shield, the cutting head, which weighs 128 tons, is among the first parts to arrive at the future “Tokyo” metro station.

The assembly of the components will start next week and will last about a month.

The public will be informed about the start of TBM’s work through official communications.

M6 Metro Line will provide a direct connection between Gara de Nord to Otopeni International Airport. It will have a route of 14,2 km and will include 12 metro stations: Pajura, Expoziției, Piața Montreal, Gara Băneasa, Aeroport Băneasa, Tokyo, Washington, Paris, Bruxelles, Otopeni, Ion I. C. Brătianu, Aeroport Otopeni.

Bucharest International Airport Rail Access Link Project (Metro Line 6. 1 Mai – Otopeni) is a project of public utility, of national interest, according to Government Decision no. 496/2017, with subsequent amendments and additions, which ensures the mobility needs of people through the development of the Trans-European Transport Network.

Comunicat de presă

Traffic restrictions update at Piața Montreal

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METROREX announces changes in traffic restrictions in the Piața Montreal area, Mărăști Boulevard, on the alignment of the future M6 Metro Line, SOUTH Section.

According to the Traffic Opinion renewed until 15.04.2025, on the basis of the approved Traffic Plan for the works for the M6 Metro Line, SOUTH Section, there are changes in the traffic flow in the above-mentioned area, for site activities required by a new phase of works for the future „Piața Montreal” metro station.

In two stages, two lanes will be restricted on Mărăști Blvd., near the junction between the exit direction of the underground passage “Piața Presei Libere” (from Șoseaua București – Ploiești) and the overpass ramp, with the permanent provision of one lane for each of the two traffic flows.

IMPORTANT: The traffic flows of the two lanes will be signalized accordingly.

Protected pedestrian circulation is ensured on sidewalks/pedestrian walkways and pedestrian crossing shall be at the existing pedestrian crossings in the area/built during the works.

Traffic diversion and road signalization in the works area will be carried out in accordance with the legislation in force.

The preparatory operations for the traffic diversion will be carried out with the support and under the supervision of the Road Brigade, starting from Thursday, 27.02.2025.

We thank all traffic participants on the above-mentioned route, as well as residents and businesses operating in the vicinity of the work areas for their understanding.

Bucharest International Airport Rail Access Link Project (Metro Line 6. 1 Mai – Otopeni) is a project of public utility, of national interest, according to Government Decision no. 496/2017, with subsequent amendments and additions, which ensures the mobility needs of people through the development of the Trans-European Transport Network.