Today it has marked the inauguration of one of the largest projects funded by the Cohesion Policy, the Braila Bridge in Romania. This crucial infrastructure connects the Black Sea ports and the Danube Delta with the rest of Romania and the expansive Trans-European Transport Network. It has a total length of 1,975 metres and a central span measuring 1,120 metres. Thus, it is the longest structure in Romania and the second-longest suspension bridge in continental Europe. The project received a substantial €363 million from Cohesion Policy funds.
The bridge was built by a joint venture between the Italian firm Webuild, holding a 60% share, and the Japanese company IHI Infrastructure Systems. The bridge is the most extensive over the Danube. It ranks as the third-largest suspension bridge in the EU. The bridge, replacing a slow and unreliable ferry link frequently interrupted by winter and adverse weather, allows the free transit of vessels.
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Key leaders who attended the Braila Bridge inauguration
Key personalities, including Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis, graced the inauguration. Others include European Commissioner for Transport Adina-Ioana Valean and the Undersecretary of State to the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport Undersecretary Tullio Ferrante. Italian Ambassador in Bucharest Alfredo Durante Mangoni and Webuild CEO Pietro Salini also attended the event.
Pietro Salini proudly noted that the inauguration of the Braila Bridge significantly improved the daily life of many people and businesses. As a result, they will foster connectivity and generate value. He confidently stated that after the technological challenge of the Braila Bridge, in partnership with IHI, they were poised to construct a record-breaking bridge over the Strait of Messina. Salini viewed these infrastructural developments as dreams being actualised. They show the global achievements of Italian engineering. Drawing a comparison, he asserted that due to its central span, the Braila Bridge represents a 1:3 scale model of the future bridge to unite Sicily and Calabria.
