A7 Highway: An Ambitious Project Connecting Ploiești to Pașcani Over a Distance of 320 Kilometers Takes Shape
Recently, images captured along the entire route show the progress made; however, Minister of Transport Sorin Grindeanu has sent a firm message to the contractors on Lots 1 and 2 of the Ploiești-Buzău section, demanding significant improvements in resource mobilization in critical areas.
In an official statement, Grindeanu said, “I checked the status of the works on Lots 1 and 2 of the Ploiești-Buzău Highway (63.25 km), part of the A7. I asked the contractors to better mobilize at the critical points (the passages at km 7 and km 38) so that both lots can be opened by the end of November.” The minister emphasized the importance of accelerating the works to meet the established deadline.
Grindeanu also added that it is essential for the Dumbrava Interchange to be completed by the end of November to allow efficient connectivity between the A3 Highway (Bucharest-Ploiești) and this section of the A7, between Dumbrava and Pietroasele. “I urged the contractors to take all necessary measures to achieve this goal,” he stated.
The minister explained that, until the completion of Lot 3 (Pietroasele-Buzău Municipality), the discharge from the first two lots will be done at km 47.8, in a provisional manner, using DN2 and DN1B. This measure aims to ensure traffic flow until the complete works are finalized.
At the beginning of September, Grindeanu announced that by the end of December, traffic will be able to circulate on the highway from Ploiești to Focșani, except for a segment between Ploiești and Buzău. This is encouraging news for road users who are eagerly awaiting the opening of this section.
Regarding the segment between Buzău and Focșani, Grindeanu specified that “by the end of October, we can put Lot 1 into circulation without the bridge at Buzău, Lot 2, and Lot 4. Lot 3 will be opened around December 1, and the bridge at Buzău will be completed throughout the year.” This information is crucial for transportation planning in the region, given the economic importance of this highway.
Minister Grindeanu reiterated his commitment to completing the project, stating that “by the end of next year, traffic will flow on the highway from Bucharest to Pașcani.” The A7 “Moldova” Highway has a total length of nearly 440 km, starting from Ploiești and continuing to Siret, at the border with Ukraine, thus facilitating access and economic development in the region.
It is also estimated that the approximately 320 km of highway between Ploiești and Pașcani is financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). From Buzău to Pașcani, the project is carried out by the same Romanian company, UMB, which has demonstrated experience and competence in the field.
This major project will not only improve Romania’s road infrastructure but also contribute to stimulating economic development in the affected areas, facilitating the transport of goods and passengers between key regions of the country. As the works progress, it remains to be seen how they will influence connectivity and the local economy in the coming years.
