This year, 3.2 billion lei will be allocated for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and maintenance of roads and bridges – the biggest sum ever allocated in Moldova for the road infrastructure.
The authorities emphasize that over the last three years, 766 km have been repaired. This year, the initiated projects will continue and the biggest ones are Soroca – Otaci; Hincesti – Leuseni; Hincesti – Leova – Cantemir; Vulcanesti and Slobozia-Mare bypass roads; sections between Breila and Băcia; Bulboaca – Hîrbovec; Singerei – Radoiai; sections from Leova to Leuseni.
As for the sources of financing, the Road Fund for 2025 was initially planned at 1.7 billion lei. Then, due to the Buget Plus program, another 1 billion lei was added to the Road Fund. The amendments to the distribution of funds for 2025 were approved at the Road Fund Council meeting held in March.
It should be noted that the Road Fund Council is a consultative body, which is composed of representatives of the relevant public authorities, public associations and employers in the transport and highways sector. According to the legislation, the Council is headed by the Prime Minister.
Over the last few years, road builders have been constantly drawing the attention of the authorities to the fact that the funds allocated are much less than required to maintain the road infrastructure. Road enterprises need money all year round, but due to the lack of funding the situation in the road sector is critical. In addition, materials, fuel, components continue to rise in price, and the general level of prices for any goods is increasing.
In an interview with Logos Press, Boris Gerasim, chairman of the Association of Road Contractors, said: “For 2025, the volume of the Road Fund is about 3.3% of the expenditures envisaged in the state budget of Moldova, and 10 years ago it was more, 4.5-4.8%. That is, the financing has not even reached the previous level”.
This is the picture of investment in road infrastructure in previous years (the volume of the Road Fund as a percentage of the state budget:
|
Year |
% | Road Fund (billion lei) |
state budget |
|
2009 |
1,3% | 0,231 | 17,847 |
|
2012 |
4,6% | 1,024 |
22,164 |
|
2014 |
4,8% | 1,364 |
28,217 |
|
2020 |
3,3% | 1,718 |
51,552 |
|
2022 |
2,3% | 1,485 |
65,2 |
| 2025 | 3,3% | 2,798 |
85,448 |
Boris Gerasim emphasized that the problem of scarce funding is always discussed at the Road Fund Council meetings. “Repeatedly, I spoke with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, gave them arguments and provided calculations. It is very good that they finally found money for this year, but it should be done steadily, increasing allocations by at least 30% every year. For the next 2026, the volume of the Road Fund should be at least 4 billion lei”.
The size of the fund consists of several components: repair, maintenance, technical support. All of them are of equal importance. Boris Gerasim drew attention to such a problem: the funds allocated for road marking are three times less than a year ago. The argument is the same – there is no money. But after all, the safety of people and the accident rate of vehicles directly depends on the availability of markings.
Also, the leader of road workers reminded that critical for domestic road companies is the ability to receive contracts for road repairs from ASD. However, the conditions of tenders are usually designed in such a way that it is very difficult for Moldovan companies to participate in them.
As a result, tenders are won by foreign firms, but practice shows that they do not always manage to fulfill the contracts on time. There are a number of examples when the State Administration of Roads had to terminate the contract with foreign contractors and encourage Moldovan companies to complete the delayed works.
