Ukraine announces the construction of a new road bridge over the Danube, which will connect the village of Orlivka in the Izmail district (Odesa region) to the Romanian city of Isaccea in Tulcea County.
The project is part of the reconstruction and development plan for 2025-2027, recently published by the Odesa Regional Council, with the main objective of faster and more efficient integration of southern Ukraine into the European Union’s infrastructure.
The future Orlivka-Isaccea bridge will become a key point on the southern transport corridor, connecting Ukraine to the road networks of Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey via the international route E87.
Currently, Ukrainian drivers wishing to reach Romania are forced to detour through Moldova, crossing the border twice and covering a longer route of about 80 kilometers.
Four-lane Bridge with Sidewalks and Seismic Resistance
The new bridge will be built with four traffic lanes and will include sidewalks for pedestrians on both sides. According to Ukrainian authorities, the structure will be resistant to earthquakes of up to 9 degrees on the Richter scale, making it one of the safest bridges in the region.
From the Ukrainian side, the access road will be 3 kilometers long, while a 950-meter section will be arranged from the Romanian side.
Funding from International Sources
For the realization of this project, Ukraine will benefit from external financial support totaling over 12.6 billion hryvnias, approximately 27 million euros. The funds will be allocated progressively over the next three years: 1.26 billion hryvnias in 2025, 3.8 billion in 2026, and 7.5 billion in 2027.
The money will cover the costs of design, environmental impact studies, the actual construction of the bridge, access roads, and border crossing points.
The project is seen by Ukrainian authorities as a strategic investment in strengthening ties with the European Union, especially with Romania, which becomes the main road access point for southern Ukraine.
In addition, the new infrastructure could significantly reduce transport times and costs for logistics companies and citizens who frequently cross the border.
An Alternative Route After Russia's Attacks
The Orlivka-Isaccea bridge will provide a safe alternative to the current ferry crossing point, which has been affected by Russia's attacks. In the fall of 2023, Russian forces bombed the "Orlivka" border point, causing major disruptions in transportation and trade. This incident accelerated the need for a sustainable and safe crossing solution over the Danube between Ukraine and Romania.
In the coming period, technical and environmental impact studies will be conducted, followed by execution tenders. Authorities in Odesa have stated that the new bridge will be designed in accordance with European standards and directly connected to international road networks to ensure full integration into continental infrastructure.
Romania, Key Partner in the Project
Although the announcement comes from Ukraine, the Romanian side will play an essential role in completing its own section and the border crossing point.
Authorities in Bucharest have not yet provided an official response, but it is expected that the project will receive governmental and European support, especially in the context of expanding cross-border infrastructure.