The first 7 km of new railway on Lot 4 of the Aleșd–Hungarian Border section of the Cluj-Napoca–Oradea–Episcopia Bihor–Border railway line were officially commissioned by CFR Infrastructura on 31 July 2025. The project, funded through Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), marks a significant milestone for Egis, which is providing supervision and consultancy services on the site.
Egis, a global firm specialising in engineering, consultancy, and mobility services, was appointed in April 2023 by the National Railway Company CFR S.A. to supervise electrification and rehabilitation works on two sections of the route: Lot 3 (Poieni–Aleșd) and Lot 4 (Aleșd–Hungarian Border).
Construction work on Lot 4, which spans 46.74 km, began in August 2024 following approval of the Technical Execution Project. The newly commissioned segment, located between Episcopia Bihor and the Hungarian border (km 0+660.74 to km 7+088.32), was completed within just two months.
Scope of works completed on new section
The work completed in this phase includes the construction of embankments and rail superstructure at Episcopia Bihor station and along the line to the Hungarian border. Other elements delivered include catenary poles, anchors, signalling cables, 13 underpasses and two culverts.
Train services have now resumed on this section under temporary speed restrictions (maximum 50 km/h). Upon completion of the entire lot, speeds will increase to 160 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for freight, improving travel times, safety, and interoperability with intelligent transport systems (ITS).
Extensive infrastructure upgrades across four lots
The wider rehabilitation project for the Cluj-Napoca to border corridor spans 166.42 km and is divided into four lots:
- Lot 1: Cluj-Napoca – Aghireș (30.41 km)
- Lot 2: Aghireș – Poieni (36.53 km)
- Lot 3: Poieni – Aleșd (52.74 km)
- Lot 4: Aleșd – Hungarian border (46.74 km)
Egis is overseeing design and construction on Lots 3 and 4, which together total nearly 100 km. Works include replacement of track and sleepers, electrification, bridge construction, embankment strengthening, ERTMS installation, and station upgrades.
Lot 4 in particular includes works at Tileagd, Oșorhei, Oradea Est, Oradea, and Episcopia Bihor stations. Construction is being carried out under live traffic conditions, requiring phased work and temporary operations to maintain services.
“The 7 km of new railway now put into operation in less than two months of concentrated effort are proof of excellent teamwork. As supervisor of this extensive and challenging work, Egis is proud to reach this important milestone and congratulates the contractor for the exemplary mobilisation with which they approached the works on this railway section,” said Corina Mateaș, Project Coordinator at Egis in Romania.
Further commissioning of additional sections within Lot 4 is expected in the near future.
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