Romania and the Republic of Moldova are building the first new road bridge over the Prut in 60 years! Investment of over 151 million lei

In Ungheni, at the border between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, the contract for the construction of the first new road bridge over the Prut River in the last 60 years has been signed

The project represents a historic moment for both states, marking the beginning of a new phase of cross-border connectivity and cooperation. The investment value exceeds 151.68 million lei, with the funds provided through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), excluding VAT.

Contractual and technical details of the project

The road bridge in Ungheni will be 261.20 meters long and will be built in two stages. In the first stage, the bridge will be 13 meters wide, and in the second stage, it will be extended to 11.25 meters. The bridge will include two lanes of traffic in each direction, as well as sidewalks for pedestrians, ensuring modern and safe road connectivity between the two countries.

The route associated with the bridge will be approximately 1 kilometer long, and the connecting road will be equipped with a border control point. It will feature parking for large vehicles, cars, and spaces for detailed inspection of cars and trucks. The connecting road will have a 8-meter-wide roadway, consisting of four lanes, each 3.75 meters wide.

A major cross-border project

The Ungheni bridge is an integral part of the Union Highway (#A8), which will connect the road infrastructures of Romania and the Republic of Moldova. On the Romanian side, the bridge will connect to the Târgu Mureș – Iași – Ungheni highway, while on the Moldovan side, it will link to National Road R1 Chișinău – Ungheni. The project aims not only to improve road infrastructure but also to boost trade exchanges and economic cooperation between the two states.

At the contract signing, high-ranking officials from both countries were present, including Igor Grosu, President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, and Nicolae Mindra, State Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development of the Republic of Moldova. Diplomatic representatives and public authorities from both sides of the Prut also attended, emphasizing the strategic importance of this project.

History and future objectives

The signing of this contract has been described as a “historic moment” because the reconstruction of bridges over the Prut symbolizes the reconnection between Romania and the Republic of Moldova. In the interwar period, there were 27 bridges between the two banks of the Prut, but they were destroyed during World War II and the Soviet regime.

The future plans are ambitious. By 2030, each of the 11 districts in the Republic of Moldova bordering the Prut is expected to have at least one operational road bridge. Furthermore, it is anticipated that by that time, travel between Bucharest and Chișinău will take place via highway, including this new bridge, which is set to be completed in 2026.

The need for effective coordination

For the smooth execution of the project, close collaboration between all the institutions involved, both in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, is essential. Site access will be carefully managed on both banks of the Prut, and the Moldovan authorities need to initiate the work of connecting the existing infrastructure to the new bridge so that it can be used immediately after the construction work is completed.

Another aspect discussed during the contract signing was the possibility of creating a joint customs point located on Romanian territory, where both Romanian and Moldovan authorities would carry out their activities, thus facilitating border control and checks.

Execution deadlines and financing

The contract duration is 24 months, with the first 6 months dedicated to design and the next 18 months to actual execution. The project is financed through non-reimbursable European funds, with a total allocated amount exceeding 151.68 million lei. These funds come from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), a program dedicated to the development of transport, energy, and telecommunications infrastructure across the European Union.

With this project, Romania and the Republic of Moldova are making a significant step from symbolic “flower bridges” organized in the ’90s to solid and durable “stone bridges” that will unite them for future generations.