Romania is taking concrete steps towards the realization of a high-speed railway line, with a length of nearly 800 kilometers and estimated costs of around 15 billion euros.
The project aims to develop a railway corridor connecting Constanța to Oradea, with a connection to Hungary’s high-speed network and, consequently, to the rapid railway infrastructure of the European Union, as shown in a comprehensive analysis by Profit.ro.
The proposed solution is a hybrid one: upgrading existing lines for speeds of 160–200 km/h, combined with the construction of new, double lines for speeds of up to 250 km/h.
### Corridor proposed: from the Black Sea to the western border
The cited study identifies the alignment Constanța – Bucharest – Brașov – Sighișoara – Târgu Mureș – Cluj-Napoca – Zalău – Oradea – Hungary border, integrated into the TEN-T European network.
The total length of the corridor would reach 781.9 km, with an average cost estimated at around 19 million euros per kilometer.
Mountain crossings, especially in the Câmpina–Predeal–Brașov sector, are expected to combine high-speed routes with conventional infrastructure, including the Predeal tunnel, which is already in advanced stages of preparation.
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### Phased implementation on priority sections
Due to the size and complexity of the investment, the study recommends phased implementation.
The first targeted section is Bucharest–Câmpina, with a new line for 250 km/h, possibly extending to Brașov by upgrading the existing infrastructure to 200 km/h.
The following sectors are Brașov–Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca–Oradea, and subsequently, Bucharest–Constanța, where only the Fetești–Constanța segment would require a completely new line.
According to documents analyzed by Profit.ro, the tender for works between Predeal and Brașov, including the railway tunnel, could be launched as early as 2026, transforming this sector into the first section of the future high-speed corridor.
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### Who conducted the study and how could the project be financed
The feasibility study was conducted by the Canadian group Atkins Realis, selected to provide the strategic analysis necessary for launching the project. The company has experience in major infrastructure projects and is already involved in Romania, including contracts at the Cernavodă nuclear power plant.
Regarding financing, the document recommends a combination of post-2027 European funds, national budget, and possible public-private partnerships, especially for sections with high commercial potential. In the 2028–2034 financial exercise, the European Commission proposes total allocations of over 60 billion euros for Romania, some of which could be directed towards transport infrastructure.
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