The A1 motorway remains one of Romania's most important road projects, linking the capital to the centre and west of the country and, once completed, providing a continuous connection all the way to the Hungarian border. The most significant works currently underway are on the Sibiu–Pitești route, on Sections 2, 3 and 4, and on the missing Margina–Holdea segment of the Lugoj–Deva stretch. These are the lots that will determine the pace at which the A1 becomes, in practical terms, a fully functional motorway along its entire strategic route.
Section 4, Tigveni–Curtea de Argeș, is closest to opening
Of all the lots currently under construction on the A1, the most advanced is Section 4, Tigveni–Curtea de Argeș, part of the Sibiu–Pitești motorway. The 9.86-kilometre stretch is being built by the Austrian company PORR. According to data released by CNAIR (Romania's national road authority), physical progress is approaching 90%, and officials have indicated that traffic could be opened roughly six months ahead of the contractual deadline.
The current level of execution shows that the lot has entered its final phase, with the focus now on finishing structures, tunnel installations, road safety features and the steps required for handover. Under these conditions, a realistic opening date is late summer or early autumn 2026, although the exact timing depends on the pace of the final works and the closing inspection procedures. This estimate is supported both by official progress data and by assessments from organisations that monitor infrastructure projects.
Margina–Holdea is making good progress, but remains a difficult lot
On the A1 Lugoj–Deva, the Margina–Holdea section is one of the most anticipated sites, because it closes one of the best-known gaps along the motorway. The works are being carried out by the consortium Spedition UMB – Tehnostrade – SA&PE Construct – Euro-Asfalt, and recently published data show physical progress of 53.12%. Around 800 workers and operators are mobilised on site, along with more than 200 specialised machines, vehicles and pieces of equipment.
Although the completion percentage is high compared with other lots, this segment includes complex works, particularly around the tunnels, and it is precisely this technical component that makes the pace of completion harder to predict than for an ordinary lot. For this reason, although there have been optimistic estimates pointing to 2026, the most credible public assessments indicate the summer of 2027 as a realistic deadline. This means the lot is well mobilised and visibly advancing, but it is not yet at a stage that would solidly support an opening in 2026.
Cornetu–Tigveni remains one of the toughest sections on Sibiu–Pitești
Section 3, Cornetu–Tigveni, is 37.4 kilometres long and is being built by the WeBuild–Tancrad consortium. It is one of the most difficult lots in the entire Sibiu–Pitești project, both in terms of length and the complexity of the mountain route, which involves viaducts, tunnels and special structures. Recent public data indicate progress of around 11.89%, with the contractual completion deadline set for 2028.
For this stretch, the execution percentage has to be read alongside the difficulty of the works. This is not a lot where progress can easily be accelerated, because much of the schedule is shaped by technical stages that require time, resources and administrative continuity. At this point, 2028 remains the realistic reference date for opening, but with little margin for delays. If further setbacks occur, there is a real risk that opening could slip to 2029.
Boița–Cornetu still has a long way to go
Section 2, Boița–Cornetu, also part of Sibiu–Pitești, is 31.33 kilometres long and is being built by the Mapa–Cengiz consortium. Public reports indicate physical progress of around 8%, with the contractual completion deadline set for 2028. Work is underway on major structures, including viaducts and in areas where the route requires complex engineering.
The current state shows that work is moving forward, but also that the lot is still far from the final phase. In a project of this size, with challenging terrain and numerous special structures, the gap between having an active site and being genuinely close to opening is wide. For this reason, even though the contractual deadline is 2028, a cautious assessment points to 2029 as a more realistic date for opening to traffic, especially if administrative or technical delays arise along the way.
The likely overall timeline for the lots currently under construction
Based on the public data available now, the overall picture is relatively clear. Tigveni–Curtea de Argeș is the lot most likely to open first, most probably in 2026. Margina–Holdea is next in terms of probability, with a realistic horizon of 2027. The two difficult sections in the mountainous part of Sibiu–Pitești, Cornetu–Tigveni and Boița–Cornetu, remain projects targeted for 2028–2029, depending on the actual pace of execution and the continuity of permits, authorisations and on-site mobilisation.
The A1 is moving forward, but the differences between lots are significant. Some are close to completion, others are barely past the early stages of construction. For this reason, the next two to three years will be decisive in shaping what the full connection along one of Romania's most important road corridors will actually look like.