Brăila suspension bridge, the third largest in Europe, is the largest infrastructure investment in the last 30 years in Romania
The bridge over the Danube from Brăila – aka Romania’s Golden Gate – is inaugurated today. The works, which cost half a billion euros, were finished two years late, while the connecting roads are not ready yet. The main road connecting with the shore in Tulcea, for instance, will not be ready until the end of the year.
However, the Brăila suspension bridge, the third largest in Europe, is the largest infrastructure investment in the last 30 years, and the most expensive one after the 1989 anti-communist Revolution.
The Ministry of Transport pledged that drivers will not pay any toll to cross the bridge in the upcoming five years. The bridge is exclusively for road traffic, and pedestrians and cyclists do not have access to cross it. The bridge is designed to have a lifespan of 120 years, and no toll will be paid for the first 5 years.
“It is expected that by opening this bridge, travel time will be reduced by approximately 50 minutes and approximately 11,400 physical vehicles will be served daily. This will produce great benefits for labor force mobility, tourism and trade and strengthen the region’s links with the rest of the country,” the European Commission reports.
President Klaus Iohannis will attend the ribbon-cut ceremony, as well as the incumbent PM Marcel Ciolacu, the former PM Nicolae Ciuca and the minister of Transports Sorin Grindeanu.
“This is the largest construction erected in Romania in the last three decades and is the third largest bridge in Europe. I congratulate everyone involved in this investment project for the efforts made and the result achieved. We have a new proof, as strong as possible, of the fact that even in Romania, if there is will and seriousness, major infrastructure projects can be completed. Special thanks must also go to the Japanese and Italian partners for their commitment and professionalism. Two years ago, when the centenary of bilateral relations between Japan and Romania was celebrated, the project of this bridge was presented as a conclusive example of the collaboration between Japan and the European Union,” stated President Iohannis The Romania head of state pointed out that the transport infrastructure has a huge potential to stimulate economic development and increase the quality of life, especially for local communities.
