photo: Parlamentul Republicii Moldova | Pagina oficială / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons/Falciu-Cantemir rail bridge
After 15 years of silence, the Falciu-Cantemir rail bridge is returning to life. With dual-gauge tracks, EU-backed financing, and Moldova’s westward pivot, this cross-border rail link is set to transform freight flows, strengthen TEN-T connectivity, and anchor Romania-Moldova integration.
After over 15 years of disuse, Moldova and Romania are moving forward with the reopening of the Falciu-Cantemir railway bridge, a key segment once connecting the two nations across the Prut River. The strategic railway section, which has been out of operation since 2009 due to landslides and structural degradation, is now slated to be reopened by May 2025, according to multiple sources, including IPN and CE Report.
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Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea confirmed the revival project during a press conference held at the QUINT Ministerial Meeting in Chisinau, attended by high-ranking officials from Romania, Ukraine, the EU, and the U.S. Bolea noted that restoring the 1.8 km rail section is not only a national priority but also a regional imperative. "We hope that by May, with Romanian support, it will become functional and benefit economic agents on both sides of the border," he stated, as quoted by IPN.
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Economic and Strategic Rail Connectivity
The line’s reopening is framed within Moldova’s broader goals of EU integration, especially amid shifting trade patterns following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to Vibewire, the Falciu-Cantemir bridge is equipped with dual-gauge tracks (1435 mm for Romania, 1520 mm for Moldova), allowing interoperability. Moldovan authorities view this infrastructure as crucial for facilitating westward freight movements and aligning national rail logistics with EU standards.
Vladimir Bolea said that such projects are part of Moldova’s integration with the European TEN-T transport network, aimed at eliminating congestion and streamlining cross-border movement. “We will ensure the improvement of transport capacity and optimisation of the goods flow by trucks and trains,” he noted, as reported by IPN.
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Falciu-Cantemir Rail Bridge: History and Investment Background
According to Clubul Feroviar, Romania had already invested 7.9 million lei (approx. 1.7 billion euros) in the modernisation of the CFR Falciu station back in 2011 to meet Schengen entry standards. However, no rail operators used the corridor after 2012, and by 2019 the line had been physically cut at a junction near Prut-1 station.
In 2020, Romanian and Moldovan officials had discussed repurposing the bridge for road transport, which could have shortened the Bucharest–Chisinau road route by 150 km. That plan never materialised, and the focus has now returned to rail as a more viable and sustainable option, especially for freight.
Romania-Moldova Transport Integration and Cross-Border Commitments
The Falciu-Cantemir bridge reopening comes amid a wave of cross-border infrastructure initiatives between Romania and Moldova. At the same QUINT Ministerial Meeting, discussions extended to the electrification of the Iasi–Chisinau railway, coordinated customs control at Ungheni, and reopening the Cahul–Galati line, IPN confirms. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development of Moldova (MIDR) is also prioritising a cargo hub in Giurgiulesti, while planning the construction of a road bridge at Ungheni to connect with Romania’s Targu Mures–Iasi motorway. According to IPN, these projects aim to solidify Moldova’s logistics network and align it more closely with EU corridors.
The momentum for infrastructure cooperation was reinforced in February 2025 at the Romania-Moldova Joint Committee for Transport Coordination, as noted by CE Report. Romanian Secretary of State Ionel Scriosteanu and Moldovan State Secretary Mircea Pascaluta signed a protocol to liberalise regular passenger transport, marking another milestone in harmonising cross-border systems. Among the key discussions were four additional road bridges to be constructed across the Prut River — including new crossings at Falciu–Leca and Raducaneni–Barboieni — as well as the iconic Flower Bridge in Ungheni, which is scheduled to break ground in April 2025.
Scriosteanu reassured Moldovan partners of continued Romanian support in technical expertise and financing, essential for modernising transport corridors and improving commercial exchanges between the two countries.
Infrastructure Modernisation and Railway Financing Challenges
Still, Moldova faces substantial logistical and financial challenges in restoring the Falciu-Cantemir railway. Vibewire reports that Moldovan officials recently visited the Prut-2 station to assess infrastructure and transshipment capabilities. Bolea has noted that four kilometres of the track will require reconstruction, for which Moldova expects financial assistance from Romania.
"Officials analysed the available infrastructure and explored opportunities for modern freight handling facilities," the Ministry of Transport said in a press release cited by Vibewire. The rail corridor is one of three that connect Moldova and Romania, but has remained unused since 2012. The decision to prioritise rail — rather than road — comes in part as a response to the financial instability of Moldovan Railways, which has suffered from declining freight volumes and delays in wage payments, according to Vibewire.
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Sources: IPN; CE Report; Clubul Feroviar