Minister of Transport, Sorin Grindeanu: “The A7 is the investment backbone of the Moldova Region, upon which the MOLDOVA HUB is being established”

The A7 Highway Project is an essential pillar in the national strategy for developing road infrastructure and connecting the Moldova Region with the rest of Romania and Europe

The Ministry of Transport, under the leadership of Sorin Grindeanu, plays a central role in implementing this large-scale project. In this context, we discuss the impact of the A7 Highway on the economic development of Romania, the execution timelines, and the challenges this project faces.

The A7 Highway is considered a strategic project for Romania’s connectivity with Central and Eastern Europe. What are the main priorities of the Ministry of Transport to ensure the timely completion of this project?

First of all, supporting entrepreneurs at all levels. I am referring here to ensuring the necessary financial flows to maintain the pace of work. As is known, the A7 Highway is funded by money from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), but the Romanian state also contributes to the co-financing. Practically, 60% of the funds needed for this highway are covered by state budget co-financing.

At the same time, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, through the National Company for Road Infrastructure Administration (CNAIR), has facilitated the resolution of other issues that are inherent during the implementation of such a large-scale project. Whether we are talking about expropriations or situations involving approvals from other authorities, the Ministry has facilitated the resolution of these points.

And last but not least, we have supported entrepreneurs through legislative changes that allowed them to overcome certain obstacles caused by international situations. An example in this regard is Ordinance No. 64 of 2022, which allowed us to adjust prices for materials based on market increases. It is well-known that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has caused imbalances in the construction materials market. More specifically, disruptions in supply flows and their increased prices.

Without state assistance, there was a risk that many contractors would not be able to bear the costs and would not be able to continue the contracts.

We constantly demonstrate that we are fair partners, and that is precisely why we also want the companies working on the A7 Highway to show the same openness and commitment to completing the work within the contractual deadlines. MTI and CNAIR have always had honest partners in discussions, and I expect them to respond accordingly.

How do you see the impact of the A7 Highway on the economic development of the Moldova Region and on increasing the attractiveness of this region for investors?

We want to transform the entire region! “MoldovaHub” – this is how I would like to hear that this part of Romania is spoken about in the national and European business environment. The A7 Highway is the investment backbone of the area, which we will complement with the A8 Highway, from Târgu Mureș to Ungheni, at the border with the Republic of Moldova, and with the A14 – Northern Highway, from Oar to Suceava.

And the A7 will not stop at Pașcani. This high-speed road will continue to Siret, where it will connect with the Ukrainian border.

As these large infrastructure projects are implemented, I am convinced that opportunities will not delay in appearing! Moreover, Moldova will become an investment hub considering its proximity to the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.

The A7 Highway represents, in fact, the opening for all regions of Moldova.

For example, the Express Road Suceava – Botoșani will link the northeast part of the country to Romania’s high-speed road network. This express road sector, taken over by the local authorities from the two counties – the county councils and the mayors of the county capitals of Botoșani and Suceava, will connect the A7 Highway to the Botoșani City Bypass.

We are in the process of preparing technical documentation, which is progressing very quickly. Funding is secured from the Transport Program, and the multicriteria analysis procedure for the three route options will start shortly.

What measures is the Ministry of Transport taking to ensure that key segments of the A7 Highway, such as Pașcani – Suceava and Suceava – Siret, are completed to high standards and meet the established deadlines?

First of all, it is good to know that each project is continuously monitored by a supervisor, who is obliged to ensure that all materials and all works comply with the current Romanian and European regulations.

Another aspect not to be overlooked is the pressure from authorities and public opinion. In addition to periodic checks that I conduct on construction sites, along with the General Director of CNAIR and the Prime Minister, it is well-known that the Romanian press frequently reports and films from these construction sites.

This justified interest, both from decision-makers and from public opinion, additionally holds contractors accountable to meet schedules and quality standards.

I believe that this approach also helps contractors realize that the projects they are carrying out belong to Romania and the European Union.

How can the A7 Highway contribute to increasing mobility and improving the quality of life for residents of the Moldova Region?

Any new high-speed route brings a major increase in economic attractiveness to the area in which it is built.

In the same vein, Moldova will also benefit. The A7 Highway will attract new investments to the area, which will translate into more jobs and higher salaries for employees. It is natural that this highway will benefit not only producers but also those who will work in these new economic units.

On the highway, a distance of 100 km to the workplace is no longer a major impediment to travel! It is expected that the workforce in the Moldova area will experience a new dynamic.

As the economic power of the area increases, so will the financial power of each resident. Either directly, through employment in new commercial units, with better salaries and lower travel and accommodation costs, or indirectly, through the benefits that these citizens will bring to other related businesses in the area.

Even children will have access to a higher degree of well-being as a result of the increased financial capacity of their parents.

And an even more important aspect is that parents will be able to find better-paying jobs in their area, which will no longer force them to work far from home. In the medium and long term, the presence of parents has a very important impact on the harmonious development of children.

What are the biggest challenges faced in implementing this infrastructure project, and how does the Ministry intend to overcome them to ensure the efficient development of the A7 Highway?

The biggest difficulty was, as I mentioned at the beginning, the sudden rise in construction material prices in 2022. However, through the rapid legislative changes we made, we avoided a crisis situation. Since then, we have not encountered alarming situations. There are still minor issues that arise sporadically, inherent in any construction site, but we solve them quickly.

Ultimately, this means management: the ability to find timely solutions that allow the successful implementation of projects.