The efficiency of Romania’s rail freight transit will grow thanks to new modernization projects. Modernization projects, comprising electrification, infrastructure and superstructure modifications, signaling, and telecommunications systems, will benefit two sections of double track on the Cluj-Napoca-Oradea route.

The two contracts, which are funded by Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, were won at the end of 2022 by the RailWorks consortium, which was formed by SC Arcada Company (Romania) and SC Alstom Transport SA. The two contracts are for the modernization of 66 km of a double railway line between Cluj-Napoca and Poieni, with 30 km of the Cluj-Napoca-Aghireș subsection and 36 km of Aghireș-Poieni (France). Each contract’s implementation time is 42 months long.

Alstom will supply modern digital train control, traffic management tactics, and electrical infrastructure, while Arcada will handle all civil construction. Alstom will specifically be responsible for overseeing the ERTMS Level 2 signaling solution, traffic control solution, electronic passenger information and control systems, and electrification works including power supply, and overhead contact line. With the modification, passenger train and freight railway speeds will both be boosted to 160 km/h.

This upgrade gives the rail freight share a boost, making it possible to convey products not only to Curtici but also to the Diocese of Bihor. A freight train traveling from one end of the nation to the other between Constanta and Curtici or Episcopia Bihor will benefit from the increased speed of rail traffic, which is crucial for cutting down on journey time.

The revival of rail transportation is all the more crucial since Romania, with its border with Ukraine, Port of Constanta, and strategic location in Europe, has emerged as one of the key export routes for Ukrainian commodities in recent years.