PHOTO // Romania, Moldova and Ukraine united by rail: Cantemir–Fălciu section reshapes trade routes in Eastern Europe

The Republic of Moldova is opening another railway border crossing point with Romania. Cantemir–Fălciu section, which lay derelict for decades, was tested on Wednesday, April 22, after rehabilitation and modernization. The project was carried out with Romania’s support. Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea highlighted the economic importance of this route, which links the Port of Constanța with the Republic of Moldova and ensures transit to Ukraine.



Cantemir–Fălciu railway section has a length of 4 kilometers on the territory of the Republic of Moldova and approximately 60 kilometers on the right bank of the Prut, in Romania. The last freight train ran on this segment in 1989, and in 2009 passenger train traffic was also halted. The rehabilitation works took more than a year and were carried out through the efforts of the Moldovan Railways employees and their counterparts in Romania.


“This new station is the first opened at the border since the 1990s; it is a railway bridge with a very significant economic impact. I would like to see how optimistically the people of Cantemir and the district look toward their future. With the reopening, the social and economic life in this area will be completely reshaped over the coming years. I believe that for economic operators both in the Republic of Moldova and in Romania, we are placing on the map a new logistics route that links the Port of Constanța with the Republic of Moldova and provides transit to Ukraine. We are talking about logistics routes for Ukraine’s reconstruction process,” said Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea.




Cantemir–Fălciu is the first border crossing point with coordinated, bidirectional control on the railway system. The Secretary of State within Romania’s Ministry of Transport, Irinel Ionel Scrioșteanu, who attended the official testing of the section, praised the efforts of the Moldovan authorities.


“We are witnessing a historic moment because for far too long there was silence here, for far too long the sound of train wheels fell silent, for far too long the Cantemir–Fălciu bridge over the Prut was closed. Last year, when I visited the area together with the Deputy Prime Minister, there was barbed wire here, and for far too long 60 km of railway in Romania were unused. As of today, with this testing using both European and Soviet gauge, this is a European train, the locomotive and the two carriages. Europe has reached Cantemir today, crossing the Prut. This is the first border crossing point with coordinated, bidirectional control on the railway system. I would like to thank the authorities of the Republic of Moldova for their cooperation in opening this border crossing point and implementing the other projects,” Scrioșteanu said.




Minister of Internal Affairs Daniella Misail-Nichitin assured that the institution is ready to ensure modern and efficient border control. She stressed that coordinated control is the essence of a secure border and praised the strategic partnership between the Republic of Moldova and Romania.


“Today we have a place that is making history; it is more than a technical facility, it is yet another gateway to the European Union, another signal of progress, proof that European belonging is built through infrastructure, institutions and concrete projects that support a high-performing market economy and a better climate for people, investment and trade. In our relationship with Romania, this project also has a special symbolic value. Romania is a strategic partner, a constant supporter and a natural link for the Republic of Moldova. Every connection point means closer ties between communities and economies and a stronger link to our European future. The Ministry of Internal Affairs contributes directly to this strategic building process. We have trained staff capable of providing modern and efficient control in line with European standards. We have professionals, we have the support of our strategic partners, and we have the will to build even more efficient public services. Coordinated control will be the essence of a secure, well-managed border aligned with European standards, where cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and Romania will bring more order and predictability for the movement of goods,” Nichitin said.




 

Officials from the Republic of Moldova and Romania gave assurances that connectivity projects with the European Union will continue. This year, the Ungheni–Ungheni bridge, with electrified European-gauge track, is to be put into operation.

The Prut 2–Fălciu railway line is part of a route built between 1917 and 1918 and was used for freight transport for several decades. After 1990, traffic gradually decreased, and the infrastructure fell into an advanced state of disrepair. The last freight train ran on this segment in 1989, and passenger transport was suspended in 2009.



The works carried out included the complete rehabilitation of about 4 kilometers of railway line, repairs to the bridge over the Prut and to the border stations Prut 2 and Fălciu. The line was adapted for mixed gauge, broad (1520 mm) and European (1435 mm), which allows direct connection to Romania’s railway network. Over 3,000 sleepers were installed and works were performed to consolidate the Prut riverbank.

The resumption of traffic on Cantemir–Fălciu railway section will help diversify import/export routes and offers a direct option for freight transport with access to the European Union market. For the south of the country, the line can become active infrastructure with a positive impact on local economic development.

The project to reconstruct and modernize the Prut 2–Fălciu segment, as an interstate connection line intended mainly for freight transport, with the prospect of developing passenger traffic, was launched on the basis of the Memorandum signed on April 14, 2025, between CFM (Republic of Moldova) and CFR (Romania).