Moldova opens 16.6‑km Slobozia Mare bypass to streamline M3 traffic

A new 16.6‑km sector of national road M3 was opened to bypass the localities of Slobozia Mare and Giurgiulești in southern Moldova. The bypass separates transit traffic from local traffic, reducing the flow of heavy‑tonnage trucks through the towns.

The project, costing €11.135 million and financed with support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, provides two carriageways, extra lanes for heavy vehicles at ramps, concrete‑asphalt surfacing, modern drainage, 27 bridges, 13 access roads, metal guardrails, 119 signs and 715 signal posts. About 2,082 vehicles a day – including roughly 260 heavy trucks – are expected to use the route, cutting travel time by around 10 minutes. Vice‑premier Vladimir Bolea said the bypass enhances safety, reduces noise and pollution for roughly 4,000 residents and improves the connection to the Giurgiulești–Galați border crossing and the international port.