Ismail Street Bridge in Chisinau faces major repair delays

The Ismail Street bridge in Chisinau is in an advanced state of degradation, facing significant structural issues including cracked concrete pillars and beams, as well as failed waterproofing. Built nearly sixty years ago, the structure now handles over 50,000 vehicles daily, including heavy trucks, which has accelerated its deterioration.

Safety concerns have risen following an incident a year ago when a piece of concrete fell from the bridge onto the roadway in front of a moving vehicle. Residents have expressed fears for pedestrians, particularly parents with strollers and children.

While Chisinau City Hall announced a major overhaul of the bridge in early May, municipal authorities have not yet provided a start date. Dorin Ciornii, interim head of the General Directorate of Urban Mobility, stated that the project is currently delayed by bureaucratic processes and coordination with relevant institutions. Once these administrative steps are completed, the procurement procedure will begin. In the meantime, road crews are preparing alternative access routes under the bridge to mitigate potential traffic disruptions during future works.