Iași Monorail Project Enters Analysis Phase: Contract for Key Study to Be Signed on February 26

On February 26, 2026, the contract for the Prefeasibility Study of the Iași Monorail project is set to be signed, considered by its initiators a major step toward modernizing urban transport.

The project proposes a suspended, eco-friendly, and innovative system designed to reduce congestion and transform mobility across the metropolitan area in the coming years.

A civic project with major ambitions

The initiative belongs to the HaiCaSePoate association and is coordinated by Cătălin Urtoi, who states that Iași could become the first city in Romania to implement such a transport system. According to him, the implementation could turn the city into a national and European example of modern and efficient urban mobility.

Green transport and European funding opportunities

The monorail is presented as a non-polluting transport solution aligned with European sustainability strategies. The initiators estimate that funding could come from the European Commission’s multiannual program for the 2028–2034 period, bringing significant investments into local infrastructure.

The prefeasibility study – a mandatory step

The first essential milestone is the completion of the Prefeasibility Study, a required document for major public projects. Current legislation mandates this stage for large-scale investments, and without it the project cannot advance. The estimated cost of the study is approximately €200,000 excluding VAT.

The document will be provided to local authorities

Once completed, the study will be donated free of charge to Iași City Hall and the Iași County Council in order to continue administrative procedures. Subsequent stages include the feasibility study and environmental approval (possibly finalized by 2029–2030), followed by approval of technical-economic indicators and then the design and execution phases. A first section of approximately 30 km could be completed around 2035.

Private sector involvement – the surprising element

One notable aspect is the financial support coming from local Iași businesspeople who wish to contribute to the realization of the study. According to the project coordinator, many of them view the initiative as an opportunity to give back to the city where they built their professional careers.

Targeted political support

In addition, a member of parliament from Iași has expressed the intention to contribute financially to the prefeasibility study, with the name to be announced after the contract is signed. This would make him the first local politician to become directly involved in financing such an initiative.

A city divided between enthusiasm and skepticism

As the contract signing date approaches, public discussions are becoming increasingly intense. Supporters see the project as a historic opportunity to modernize the city, while critics and skeptics are calling for clear evidence regarding its feasibility. Regardless of differing opinions, the Iași Monorail has already become one of the most widely debated urban infrastructure projects in the region.