New sections of the Chisinau - Giurgiulesti expressway were launched. The works took more than 4 years
A 31-kilometre stretch of road linking the city of Chisinau to Giurgiulesti was inaugurated today. The project was carried out with the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. This road significantly reduces travel time and is also part of the security corridors on which Ukrainian grain is transported.
Work on this section of the road was planned for two and a half years, but due to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, construction took more than four years, said the head of the State Road Administration, Sergiu Bejan. At the same time, the planned work was initially estimated at 19 million euros, but following price increases, the contract formula was increased to 24 million.
"When we finally complete the Vulcanesti bypass and the Cimislia bypass by 2026, maximum 2027, we will have a time reduction of one hour for heavy traffic and 1.5 hours for light traffic. This will reduce a lot of time, but we know very well that time costs money," said Sergiu Bejan.
Since 1993, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has invested more than €2 billion in Moldova, and infrastructure has been one of the areas with the most projects, said EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso.
"This segment is very important, given the proximity of the port of Giurgiulesti. At the same time, it is very important for the nearby inhabitants. I would like to assure you of the EBRD's commitment to continue investing in various infrastructure projects, in the private sector, in SME financing and also in financing projects related to energy security," Odile Renaud-Basso said.
President Maia Sandu also underlined that this is a concrete example of how the money provided by external partners is materialising into concrete projects for our country. The 31 km of road rehabilitated to European standards are in addition to the 350 km of road put into service in the last two years.
"The rehabilitation of the 31 km of road is, first of all, good news for citizens and transporters - it will allow faster travel at lower costs," said President Maia Sandu. The rehabilitated road also benefits some 3,500 inhabitants of Ciumai, Taraclia district and Burlăceni commune, Cahul, who now have access roads to farmland, entrances to their yards, pavements and waiting stations for public transport. The head of state said that thanks to the new road sector, transit traffic will bypass these villages and people will enjoy cleaner air and more peace and quiet. The new section also contributes to our efforts to show solidarity with Ukraine - the M3 road is part of a European corridor linking the neighbouring country to Romania's road network and providing freight transport. Such infrastructure projects show that Moldova is a reliable partner, which also contributes to food security in the region," said the President.
The overall objective of the project is to reduce road transport costs and shorten journey times for road users in Moldova. At the same time, more than 12 thousand inhabitants of Vulcanesti will no longer have to bear the noise produced by heavy goods vehicles and will benefit from a good and safe road.
