Additional bridges over Prut River
Construction works have started on a new bridge over Prut River, which will provide a modern connection between Romania and the Republic of Moldova
Sorin Iordan, 28.04.2025, 13:50
Romania and the Republic of Moldova will soon be connected by a new bridge over the Prut. The new bridge, for which construction works started last week, is special both in terms of its scope and symbolism. The Ungheni bridge will connect the Golăeşti commune in Iaşi County (northeast) to Zagarancea in the Moldovan Ungheni district and will be built as a motorway, with double lanes on each direction and facilities for pedestrian transit. Worth €30 million, the project benefits from European funding. The bridge will be 260m long, will have a border crossing point with parking lots, connecting roads on both banks, and will be part of the so-called Union Highway, which will connect the Romanian cities of Târgu Mureş (center) – Iaşi and Ungheni to the future Ungheni – Chişinău highway, both of which are estimated to be rendered operational by 2030. The bridge will be called the “Flower Bridge”, a reference to the actions in the early 1990s when, for the first time after World War II, the border could be crossed without presenting documents. Romanian Deputy Prime Minister Marian Neacşu, one of the officials from Bucharest and Chişinău attending the groundbreaking ceremony, recalled those moments. He stated that the time for solidly built bridges has arrived and that the new bridge would lead “Moldova to Europe through Romania”. The bridge will create new economic opportunities for both states, Romanian Minister of Transport, Sorin Grindeanu, also said. This is the first in a series of five bridges scheduled for construction, the Romanian official said.
“We are talking about a bridge that must be completed in 18 months, meaning that by next year’s fall this bridge, which is in fact an ensemble of two bridges, must be operational. What’s more important is the fact the bridge will provide a connection to the future A8 motorway. It is not the only bridge, we have four more in preparation this year, probably, the feasibility studies for the other four will be finalized, and they will be put into operation next year”.
Former European Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, during whose mandate the documentation for obtaining European funds was finalized, said that the bridge is the expression of freedom of movement and an opportunity for economic development for the entire region, since infrastructure spells prosperity for the citizens of both countries and the EU. In turn, the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Grosu, described the ceremony as one of historical importance.
“Whereas 35 years ago, our predecessors built a bridge of flowers, a much anticipated bridge filled with emotion, they took down the barbed wire on the Prut, I believe that our generation has the obligation, but also the honor, to build stone bridges and we must do that as a tribute to those who built that bridge of flowers”.
At present, Romania and the Republic of Moldova are connected by six road bridges, three railway bridges and a reservoir dam, all of which were built over 60 years ago. (VP)
