Starting July 15, 2026, the 16-kilometer Bacău bypass (part of the A7 Moldova Motorway) will close to traffic for approximately six weeks. According to the National Company for Road Infrastructure Administration (CNAIR), the closure is necessary to connect existing sections with new motorway segments currently under construction. Traffic will be diverted through the city of Bacău during this period.
Infrastructure Integration and Traffic Diversions
The decision to halt traffic on the Bacău bypass follows a request from the contractor, UMB, to facilitate integration with the northern and southern sections of the A7. CNAIR and the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police (IGPR) have authorized the closure through August 31, 2026. While the permit covers this six-week window, officials state that traffic restrictions could occur at any point during that interval to accommodate active construction work.
Pro Tip: Drivers are strongly encouraged to plan their routes well in advance. Because all bypass traffic will be rerouted onto the DN 2 national road through the city center, congestion and longer wait times are expected.
The PNRR Deadline Pressure
The construction pace is driven by the strict requirements of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Funding for these motorway sections is tied to the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery mechanism, which mandates that all related project funds must be utilized by August 31, 2026. UMB, the Romanian construction company responsible for the project, is currently focusing on completing the Bacău-Sud and Bacău-Nord interchanges to ensure the bypass successfully links with the rest of the A7 network.
Status of the A7 Moldova Motorway
The A7 project represents a significant expansion of Romania’s high-speed road network. To date, approximately 200 kilometers of the Moldova Motorway have been opened to the public. Another 121 kilometers are currently under active construction, all supported by PNRR financing.
| Section | Length |
|---|---|
| Focșani – Bacău (Lot 2: Adjud – Răcăciuni) | 22 km |
| Focșani – Bacău (Lot 3: Răcăciuni – Bacău) | 21.5 km |
| Bacău – Pașcani (Lot 1: Bacău – Trifești) | 30.3 km |
| Bacău – Pașcani (Lot 2: Trifești – Săbăoani) | 19 km |
| Bacău – Pașcani (Lot 3: Săbăoani – Pașcani) | 28 km |
Beyond the current PNRR-funded projects, expansion is already planned. Contracted projects for the Pașcani to Suceava stretch (61 km) will be financed through the SAFE mechanism, and recent contracts have been signed for the 56-kilometer express road extension toward the Ukrainian border.
Did you know? All of the 120 kilometers listed in the table above were initially scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. The current 2026 push reflects the intensive effort required to meet the final PNRR eligibility deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Bacău bypass closing?
The closure is required to physically connect the existing bypass with the new A7 motorway sections currently being built by UMB.
How long will the closure last?
The official closure period is from July 15, 2026, to August 31, 2026.
Where will traffic be diverted?
All traffic will be rerouted through the city of Bacău via the DN 2 national road.
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