Lotul 1 Sibiu – Boița on the Sibiu – Pitești Motorway faces a complete traffic closure lasting up to one year to allow complex construction work at the Boița node. According to exclusive reporting by Economedia, the National Company for Road Infrastructure Administration (CNAIR) rejected plans to continue pouring concrete under active traffic, forcing motorists back onto the heavily congested DN7 corridor through the Olt Valley.
Why Lot 1 Sibiu – Boița Faces a Extended Closure
The temporary shutdown stems from structural intersections involving multiple major infrastructure projects managed by different contractors. Economedia reports that the closure facilitates critical works at the Boița node on the Boița – Cornetu section, built by the Turkish company Mapa. Simultaneously, teams from Makyol need clear access to connect Lot 1 of the A13 Sibiu – Făgăraș Motorway.
Makyol must excavate a dedicated ramp to integrate the new A13 body with the existing A1 exit ramp. CNAIR dismissed proposals to keep lanes open while construction proceeded. Consequently, officials initially notified the Tălmaciu and Boița town halls that closures would begin on September 21, 2026. Builders delayed that specific deadline only to pour one final segment of the Boița viaduct currently underway.
Did you know? The Boița viaduct utilizes a massive cantilever mobile formwork system. According to Economedia’s findings, this heavy equipment entirely occupies the clearance gauge required for vehicles to safely traverse the entry and exit ramps at the Boița node.
Construction Technology and Alternative Route Pressures
The construction method deployed by Mapa relies on a cantilever viaduct technology identical to the system used on the Nădășelu viaduct along the A3 Transilvania motorway, which was built by Ozaltin. Because this sliding formwork mechanism requires a wide safety margin, maintaining traffic on the active access ramps proved impossible.
Industry sources consulted by Economedia indicate that alternative mitigation strategies were reviewed. Planners evaluated keeping partial lanes open for vehicles that do not require full clearance or constructing a temporary local deviation for the slip roads. Ultimately, CNAIR opted for the full 13-kilometer closure of Lot 1 Sibiu – Boița, channeling all affected traffic back onto DN7 through the Olt Valley.
Impact on the Olt Valley Corridor
The 13-kilometer stretch of Lot 1 has provided a vital high-speed link since its opening, allowing drivers to bypass local bottlenecks. Shutting down the route removes this direct connection on the A1 corridor between Sibiu and Boița. Motorists must exit the motorway early, reviving severe traffic jams and freight bottlenecks on the Olt Valley route, which ranks among the busiest transit corridors in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the closure of Lot 1 Sibiu – Boița last?
According to Economedia reports, the traffic suspension is scheduled to last for 90 days, with provisions allowing authorities to extend the shutdown for up to one year depending on construction progress.
Where is traffic being redirected during the closure?
Drivers are redirected onto DN7, which runs through the Olt Valley, reviving heavy congestion on that primary corridor.
Why can traffic not pass while construction is ongoing?
The massive mobile formwork equipment deployed by contractor Mapa to build the Boița viaduct occupies the entire clearance gauge needed for vehicles to use the ramps at the Boița node safely.
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