The Government of Moldova has initiated negotiations with the Government of Romania on the modernization of the road bridge over the Prut River in Moldova’s Sculeni and in Romania’s Sculeni. The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the composition of the official delegation that will negotiate the agreement. The group will be led by Veaceslav Șipitca, secretary of state at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, IPN reports.

The bridge was built in 1964 and has a total length of 113 meters. Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Lilia Dabija said that following the technical examination of the bridge performed by the Romanian side, defects and damage in the constructive elements of the bridge were identified. The works are to last until 2027. The customs post is now being rehabilitated with the Customs Service’s support and the access road is to be modernized with the about 30 million lei that was allocated from the Road Fund.

Also, negotiations with Romania will be held to consider the modernization of the road bridge between Moldova’s Cahul and Romania’s Oancea at a cost of at most €25 million and also the building of a new bridge between Moldova’s Leușeni and Romania’s Albița at a cost of about €30 million.

The modernization of bridges forms part of the country strategy European Moldova 2020-2030. In accordance with the strategy, nine bridges are to be rehabilitated or built until 2030.