The European Union will provide Moldova with a grant of 32 million euros to rehabilitate the North-South railroad corridor
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development announced this, noting that the matter concerns the implementation of an important strategic project to connect Moldova to international transportation networks. The EU funds will be used to modernize the railway infrastructure, while the companies Obermeyer Hellas (Greece) and DB Engineering&Consulting (Germany) will provide support services to supervise the repair works, thus contributing to Moldova's integration into the European transport networks. As it was reported, at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, in the presence of State Secretary for Transport Mircea Pascaluta, a contract on consulting services was signed between the Railways of Moldova state enterprise (CFM) and representatives of the companies Obermeyer Hellas and DB Engineering&Consulting, which won the tender for the provision of services in the execution and supervision of repair works of the North-South railway corridor: Valcinet-Ocnita-Balti-Ungheni-Chisinau-Cainari. The project is part of the “Solidarity Lanes” initiative, initiated by the European Union and receiving substantial financial support from it. For the revitalization of the North-South section, the maximum EU assistance is 32 million euros. The funds will be used to modernize a crucial section of the railroad, which provides a link between Moldova's northern and central regions, as well as with international transport networks. “This project is of vital importance for the development of Moldova's railway infrastructure, and the EU financial assistance represents a significant step towards the integration of our country into the European transportation networks. Cooperation with renowned European partners will contribute to the modernization of our infrastructure and establish important economic ties for our future,” said Mircea Pascaluta. The North-South railway corridor will be renovated along 375 km, of which 128 km of railroads are in poor condition and will be renovated with EU support. This section will provide connections to the industrial environment located in the north and center of Moldova, as well as to the free economic zones in Marculesti, Balti, Ungheni and Chisinau. The corridor also handles exports, imports, and transit of goods from Romania and Ukraine. It connects to the Cainari-Cimislia-Basarabeasca-Giurgiulesti rail corridor, which is also used for transshipment logistics in the Danube and Black Sea ports. The project is important for the country's connectivity, facilitating the export, import and transit of goods between Romania, Ukraine and Moldova. For its implementation, the Moldovan Parliament ratified a loan agreement with the EBRD for 23 million euros, a financing agreement with the EIB for 41 million 205 thousand euros and an amendment to the loan agreement with the EBRD for 18 million 205 thousand euros. // 11.11.2024 - InfoMarket.
