EU-funded Bahmut bypass officially opened in Moldova

Moldovan deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Andrei Spînu, Ambassador Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Moldova and Matteo Patrone, Managing Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus officially inaugurated the six kilometre-long bypass around the village Bahmut today.

The road segment, constructed with around EUR 8 million grant funding from the EU, is part of the Chisinau-Ungheni-Sculeni national road to the Romanian border – the key transport artery connecting the country with the EU.

The Bahmut bypass is part of a large-scale programme to upgrade and build key roads in the country with investments of €300 million provided by the EBRD and European Investment Bank (EIB). Andrei Spînu, Deputy Prime Minister Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development said: “With the support of the European Union, EBRD and EIB, more than 300 km of road are under construction in the Republic of Moldova. We will complete them qualitatively and on time, as we did with the bypass road of Bahmut village. Further, It is necessary to absorb the funds as efficiently as possible and build the roads according to high standards to benefit our people, the economy, and interconnection with the EU road network.”

Matteo Patrone, EBRD Managing Director said: “We are delighted to work with the government, the European Union, EIB to give a new lease of life to Moldovan road network and infrastructure.  Better roads bring Moldova closer to the EU, boost trade and regional integration, and improve road safety and citizens’ daily lives.’’

Jānis Mažeiks, EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova stated: “The completion of this road means that citizens and goods can now travel more efficiently and more safely to and from the EU. The physical links between the EU and Moldova have become even more important since the Republic of Moldova obtained the EU candidate country status. This is demonstrated by the recent decision of the European Commission, which recommended to extend the core Trans-European Transport Network to the Republic of Moldova and to Ukraine. Over the last 10 years, the European Union and its partners, in the spirit of Team Europe, have provided more than 1 billion euros assistance for transport infrastructure projects in the Republic of Moldova.”

Six kilometres of new road creates safer and comfortable conditions for both freight and passenger transport with its two lanes, bridges, an underground passage and two intersections. It will further enable better access to EU markets for Moldovan producers, decrease road maintenance costs and noise and air pollution for the local population living nearby. The works on the bypass included installation of safety features such as new crash barriers, road signs and markings, and pedestrian crossings.