A8 Under Pressure from European Deadlines: Delays on the Route to the Republic of Moldova Put SAFE Funding at Risk

The Republic of Moldova Still Has to Wait for the Highway to Europe. A8 Faces Delays Before the Prut

The A8 Union Highway, a strategic project aimed at connecting Romania with the Republic of Moldova, risks facing significant delays on the route towards the Prut River. According to a report by TVR Iași, three of the four sections between Moțca and the border with the Republic of Moldova are currently blocked by appeals, even though design and construction contracts have already been awarded and signed for some sections.

The A8 will connect Târgu Mureș with Ungheni over a distance of approximately 260 kilometres, with the investment estimated at around €9 billion.

The Mountain Section, the Most Complex Part of the Highway

The most challenging section is the mountain sector between Miercurea Nirajului and Leghin, covering approximately 159 kilometres. The project includes 47 tunnels and 437 bridges, overpasses and viaducts, highlighting the complexity of the terrain through which the highway will pass.

On sections such as Sărățeni–Joseni and Grințieș–Pipirig, tunnels and viaducts will account for nearly half of the route, with the difficult geography representing one of the main challenges for construction.

Works Are Advancing on Several Sections

The progress of the project varies significantly from one section to another. In the mountain area, contracts have been signed, while design activities are already underway on several lots. On the Târgu Mureș–Miercurea Nirajului section, works have reached approximately 60% completion.

Construction is currently underway on the Târgu Mureș–Miercurea Nirajului, Joseni–Ditrău and Leghin–Moțca sections. At the same time, the bridge over the Prut River at Ungheni is also under construction, providing a direct connection with the Republic of Moldova.

Bottlenecks Emerge on the Eastern Section, Towards the Republic of Moldova

The most significant problems are concentrated on the eastern section. Three of the four sections between Moțca and the Prut are currently blocked by appeals.

A difficult situation is also reported on the Târgu Frumos–Lețcani section, where the winner of the tender has not yet been designated. For the Lețcani–Ungheni section, the appeals are expected to be settled in court, with the first hearings anticipated in mid-autumn.

Of the other sections currently under preparation, five are in the design phase, although only one of them is located in Iași County.

European SAFE Funding Under Pressure from the Project Timeline

Administrative and legal delays could affect access to funding through the European SAFE mechanism. The timeline is considered extremely tight, and project representatives warn that procedures must be accelerated so that all contracts can be signed by the end of the year.

Entering 2027 with procedures still incomplete could create major difficulties in meeting the funding deadlines. If the project fails to meet the European timeline, the main alternative would be financing from Romania’s state budget or other sources of funding.

31 December 2030 – Final Completion Deadline

The SAFE mechanism imposes strict conditions: the allocated funds must be used within the established timeframe, while the works financed through the mechanism must be fully completed by 31 December 2030.

Any extension beyond this date could put European funding at risk, while the remaining costs required to complete the works could ultimately fall on Romania’s state budget.

Under the contracts, construction companies have approximately 10 months for the design phase, followed by three years for the actual execution of the works. In this context, every delay caused by appeals, administrative procedures or the obtaining of construction permits reduces the time available to complete the highway.

A8 – The High-Speed Road Connection Between Romania and the Republic of Moldova

The Union Highway is of strategic importance to both sides of the Prut. Its completion would create a high-speed road connection between Transylvania, the Romanian region of Moldova and the border at Ungheni, strengthening the Republic of Moldova’s access to the European transport network.

While works are progressing on several sections of the A8, the eastern part of the project remains affected by appeals and administrative procedures, while the pressure of the 2030 deadline continues to increase.