Vulcanesti bypass road completed ahead of schedule: a new boost for Danube logistics

The Ukrainian company Automagistral-Yug has put into operation the Vulcanesti bypass road in southern Republic of Moldova, three months ahead of the contractual deadline. The project is located on the M3 Chișinău–Comrat–Giurgiulești corridor.

The 8.5 km bypass has major strategic importance for the Danube region. It diverts heavy transit traffic away from the city of Vulcanesti, improves road safety and significantly reduces travel time towards Giurgiulesti Port, Moldova’s only port providing direct access to the Danube and the Black Sea.

The M3 motorway is the shortest land route to the Danube port and an integral part of the European transport corridor E577, connecting Ukraine, Moldova and Romania with the Lower Danube logistics hub. The project strengthens regional supply chains, facilitates agricultural and commercial freight flows, and enhances cross-border connectivity in the wider Danube–Black Sea area.

The works included the construction of access roads and a bridge, drainage systems, lighting, road safety infrastructure and signage, all implemented in line with EU standards. The project was financed with the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

IDR comment

The early completion of the Vulcanesti bypass is a tangible contribution to the resilience of Danube logistics. Beyond local traffic relief, it reinforces the southern logistics axis linking the Ukrainian Danube region, southern Moldova and the Giurgiulesti port with EU markets. The involvement of Ukrainian contractors demonstrates Ukraine’s growing role as a reliable partner in shaping a new, more resilient regional logistics architecture under current geopolitical challenges.