Bucharest's Basarab Passage repairs start, traffic limits to ease by September

Rehabilitation work on the Basarab Passage in Bucharest has officially begun, with construction crews and equipment deployed on the first day. The city mayor, Ciprian Ciucu, said the works were timed to start during the school holidays to minimise disruption and that the restrictions on traffic over the bridge could be lifted as early as September.

The repairs, required to address structural corrosion, damaged concrete and metal parapets, will be carried out in several phases. The first phase, from 20‑29 June, targets tram lines 4 and 11, which will be temporarily suspended while the overhead line is de‑energised. A second phase, running through July, will reorganise road traffic onto a single lane, likely causing congestion. Additional measures include temporary shuttle bus routes and increased vehicle deployments on affected public‑transport lines. The project aims to improve long‑term safety and ensure the passage can finally receive final acceptance after 15 years of administrative uncertainty.