Investments of More Than EUR 60 Million in Strategic Ungheni–Iași Infrastructure: Parliament Ratifies New Agreement on the Prut River Bridge

New Agreement on the Prut River Bridge in Ungheni Ratified by Parliament

The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova has ratified the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the Government of Romania on the construction, operation, maintenance and repair of transport infrastructure of strategic interest to the two states.

Connecting to the European Transport Network

The document was developed in the context of connecting the road network of the Republic of Moldova to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), as well as establishing coordinated border controls at the border crossing point located on Romanian territory.

The new agreement will replace the document signed in 2022, which established the conditions for the operation, maintenance and repair of the road border bridge over the Prut River between the localities of Ungheni in the Republic of Moldova and Ungheni in Romania.

New Opportunities for Infrastructure Development

According to Parliament, the need to update the legal framework was identified during the implementation of the bridge construction project, following the emergence of new opportunities for infrastructure development.

These include changes to the organisation of border controls and the possibility of expanding the preferential financing provided by the European Union for the project.

Connection with the A8 Motorway and Moldova’s Infrastructure

The infrastructure project is linked to the construction of the Iași–Ungheni section of the A8 Târgu Mureș–Iași–Ungheni Motorway on Romanian territory, as well as to the development of the first section of the future Ungheni–Chișinău–Odesa motorway on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

The project also includes the intermodal railway terminal in Berești, aimed at strengthening transport connections between the two countries.

Investments of EUR 56 Million

Under the provisions of the Agreement, Romania will provide financing for the construction of the bridge over the Prut River and the associated infrastructure, including the border crossing point located on Romanian territory. The financing will also cover other infrastructure components provided for in the document, including certain investments to be carried out on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

The estimated value of these investments amounts to EUR 56 million.

Contribution of the Republic of Moldova

The Republic of Moldova will finance the construction of the motorway section connecting the bridge abutment on the Prut River to the R16 national road. The section will be approximately 0.5 kilometres long, with investment costs estimated at EUR 5 million.

Completion Deadline

The implementation of the works provided for under the new agreement is planned to be completed by the end of 2030, with the project expected to contribute to strengthening road and logistics connections between the Republic of Moldova and Romania.