The European Investment Bank (EIB) is currently assessing the project for the modernisation of the Brașov – Sighișoara railway, located in the central region of Romania. The total cost has an estimated value of EUR 2.25 billion, of which the EIB is proposing to finance EUR 630 million.
The project involves the upgrade of a 130 km electrified double-track railway line, including bridges, viaducts, and tunnels, along with the installation of ERTMS Level 2. The modernisation will increase the maximum design speed, axle load, and permitted train length. It will fully comply with the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs), and the installation of ERTMS is expected to improve the competitiveness of rail transport compared to other modes.
The project is divided into three sections: Brașov – Apața, Apața – Cața, and Cața – Sighișoara. In April, the Government of Romania approved a decision for the reapproval of the technical and economic indicators for this investment.
The initial project value was RON 8.4 billion (EUR 1.6 billion), but it has since increased by almost RON 3 billion (EUR 573 million). As a result, the total value of the investment is now RON 11.3 billion (EUR 2.2 billion), including VAT, with the remaining works estimated at RON 4.5 billion (EUR 861.4 million), including VAT.
Under the 2014 CEF transport calls for proposals a grant agreement has been signed with CFR Infrastructura for EUR 826.4 million out of EUR 972.2 million in eligible costs, covering the rehabilitation of the Brașov – Apața and Cața – Sighișoara sections, which together span 85.5 km.
In 2015, an additional CEF Transport grant of EUR 415.2 million was secured, covering part of the EUR 488.5 million eligible costs. The co-financing supported land expropriation and site preparation, construction supervision and technical assistance, execution of works, and implementation of ERTMS on the Brașov – Apața (39 km) and Cața – Sighișoara (46.5 km) sections.
In total, EU co-financing through the CEF Transport programme amounts to EUR 1.2 billion.
For these two sections, the modernisation covers 85.5 km of railway line, including 663 metres of single-track tunnel and 1,484 metres of double-track tunnel.
Signed contracts
In March 2020, CFR SA, the Romanian rail infrastructure manager, signed a contract worth RON 3.2 billion (EUR 614.8 million) with the Asocierea Rail Works consortium, which includes Alstom (leader), Aktor Technical Société Anonyme, Arcada Company, and Euro Construct Trading 98. The works are scheduled to be completed within 48 months (4 years) from the date of signing.
In addition, a RON 35.5 million (EUR 6.8 million) contract was signed with a consortium comprising ISPCF SA (consortium leader), TPF Inginerie, and Baicons Impex.
Upon completion, the length of the Brașov – Sighișoara railway will be reduced by 17.6 km, from 130.7 km to 112.6 km, thanks to route realignment and optimisation.
The Brașov – Sighișoara railway forms part of the 800 km-long mainline from the Hungarian border (Curtici) through Arad, Brașov, and Bucharest to Constanța, which lies on the Rhine-Danube Core Network Corridor (TEN-T). This corridor connects western and eastern Romania, linking the Hungarian border to the Port of Constanța. It is also the most heavily used railway corridor in Romania, serving significant volumes of both passenger and freight traffic, nationally and internationally.
Following the upgrade, passenger trains will be able to run at speeds of up to 160 km/h, and freight trains at up to 120 km/h. The line will comply with TEN-T requirements, supporting 22.5-tonne axle loads and accommodating 740-metre freight trains travelling at a minimum of 100 km/h.
The project will also support the creation or modernisation of multimodal freight hubs, enhance the accessibility and attractiveness of towns and communes along the route, and significantly improve travel speed, quality, and safety for both passenger and freight rail services.
The works along this corridor are designated as priorities in Romania’s General Transport Master Plan, particularly under the chapter focusing on the completion of railway modernisation works and compliance with European interoperability standards, as defined by EU regulations and directives.
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