Craiova–Pitești Expressway (DEx12)
Expressway (drum expres) in south-western Romania linking Craiova, Slatina and Pitești, where it branches off the A1 motorway; previously labelled A12 when planned as a motorway. 121 km long with an estimated total cost of €1.66 billion, it is nicknamed "Autostrada Ford" after the carmaker's Craiova plant. Opened in stages between April 2022 and July 2025, the full Craiova–Pitești route has been in service since 31 July 2025.
- Total length
- 118 km
- Open today
- 118 km
- Sections
- 6
- Cost on record
- €744.956M
- 4 of 6 sections carry a comparable figure
Restated into EUR at 2025 prices.
Sections
| Sections | Status | Length | Timeline | Cost | Funding | Contractors | Contract terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craiova – Balș Section of the Craiova–Pitești expressway (nicknamed "Autostrada Ford"); total route estimated at €1.66bn. Sections 1–2 awarded October 2018, sections 3–4 signed September 2020 / August 2021 | Opened | 18 km |
| – |
|
| 24 mo execution · Contract value lei 358.18M |
| Balș – Slatina Section of the Craiova–Pitești expressway (nicknamed "Autostrada Ford"); total route estimated at €1.66bn. Sections 1–2 awarded October 2018, sections 3–4 signed September 2020 / August 2021 | Opened | 16 km |
| – |
|
| 24 mo execution · Contract value lei 661.45M |
| Slatina bypass Section of the Craiova–Pitești expressway (nicknamed "Autostrada Ford"); total route estimated at €1.66bn. Sections 1–2 awarded October 2018, sections 3–4 signed September 2020 / August 2021 | Opened | 21 km |
| – |
|
| 24 mo execution · Contract value lei 792.19M |
| Slatina – Colonești Section of the Craiova–Pitești expressway (nicknamed "Autostrada Ford"); total route estimated at €1.66bn. Sections 1–2 awarded October 2018, sections 3–4 signed September 2020 / August 2021 | Opened | 32 km |
|
|
|
| 24 mo execution · 36 mo total · Contract value lei 670.72M |
| Colonești – Albota Section of the Craiova–Pitești expressway (nicknamed "Autostrada Ford"); total route estimated at €1.66bn. Sections 1–2 awarded October 2018, sections 3–4 signed September 2020 / August 2021 | Opened | 20 km |
| – |
|
| – |
| Albota – Pitești Section of the Craiova–Pitești expressway (nicknamed "Autostrada Ford"); total route estimated at €1.66bn. Sections 1–2 awarded October 2018, sections 3–4 signed September 2020 / August 2021 | Opened | 11 km |
| – |
|
| – |
Contractor roles are as recorded in the award. Only builders count toward the delivery rankings.
Funding
- European Union118 km6 sections
- EU funds (Large Infrastructure Operational Programme)
- National budget118 km6 sections
A section that lists two sources counts its full length under each: the data records which sources paid, not what share each one carried.
Related projects
- HighwaysA8 Târgu Mureș–Iași–Ungheni Motorway (Unirii)Same contractor: SA&PE Construct, SA&PE Construct – Spedition UMB – Tehnostrade, Spedition UMB, Tehnostrade
- HighwaysA1 Bucharest–Nădlac MotorwaySame contractor: Spedition UMB, Tehnostrade, Tirrena Scavi
- HighwaysA7 Motorway (Moldavia Motorway)Same contractor: SA&PE Construct, Spedition UMB, Tehnostrade
- HighwaysFocșani – Brăila ExpresswaySame contractor: SA&PE Construct, Spedition UMB, Tehnostrade
- HighwaysA3 Bucharest–Brașov MotorwaySame contractor: Spedition UMB, Tirrena Scavi
- HighwaysA0 Bucharest Ring MotorwaySame contractor: Spedition UMB