The European Commission has approved funding for the electrification of the first railway segment in the Republic of Moldova, marking a major step in the country’s integration into the wider European transport network.
The 25-kilometre Iași–Ungheni railway line, including the cross-border bridge over the Prut River, will be fully electrified and rehabilitated with financial support from the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The majority of the section—21 km—is located on Romanian territory.
The electrification project was developed and submitted in January 2025 by Moldova’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development (MIDR) and was selected from among 258 applications submitted by EU member states and partner countries. It is one of 94 projects to receive non-reimbursable European funding, as part of a larger EUR 2.8 billion investment package.
Modernisation to Improve Speed, Reliability and Sustainability
According to the MIDR, the modernisation of the Iași–Ungheni segment is expected to deliver multiple benefits for both passengers and the economy. Once completed, the line will support speeds of up to 140 km/h for passenger trains and 80 km/h for freight services. The upgrade is also expected to significantly reduce travel times and operational costs, while improving the reliability of cross-border rail transport between Moldova and Romania.
The new electrified line will offer an environmentally friendly alternative to road transport by cutting carbon emissions, supporting the EU and Moldova’s shared goals of sustainable development and regional connectivity.
Timeline and Future Prospects
The official signing of the financing agreements is expected in October 2025, with construction works scheduled to begin in June 2026. The project is anticipated to be completed by June 2028.
Described as a landmark development, the project is a critical step towards the modernisation of Moldova’s railway infrastructure and aligns with the country’s aspirations to strengthen ties with the European Union.
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