The Transfer of the Moțca-Ungheni Segment of the A8 Highway to CNIR Delayed Again

With just weeks before the general elections, both the tension and pressure for the A8 Highway are mounting. Although planned for several years, the project has yet to reach the construction phase along any of its over 300 kilometers

According to Cătălin Urtoi, Chairman of the National Road Investment Company (CNIR), the mountain section is progressing, with two contracts awarded and two more under evaluation. However, the section near Iași remains somewhat uncertain.

A government decision expected at the end of October is anticipated to transfer the Moțca-Ungheni segment from the National Road Infrastructure Administration Company (CNAIR) to CNIR within 30 days. Still, there are concerns about potential delays. Urtoi expressed his worry that the Iași portion of the highway could face further postponements.

Another key factor is the designer’s approval, as the current contract includes the technical design, which must be separated for bidding along with the construction work.

Urtoi estimated that the Moțca-Lețcani section could be completed by 2028, provided that the bureaucratic process is overcome smoothly. The funding for the sections will come from the 2021-2027 Transport Program and Romanian state loans, similar to the A7 model.

Construction on the first awarded lot has not yet started due to the contractor’s strategy of completing the Buzău-Focșani section by the end of the year, then reallocating resources to the A8 lots, including Moțca-Tg. Neamț.