ROMANIAN state railway CFR is working to raise Ecu340m for an upgrading programme which includes renovation of 900 route-km, main line electrification and line speed increases, rolling stock renewal, and communications modernisation.

CFR has signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Bank for half the cost of a US$18m programme to install a 3500 km optic fibre communications network. European Bank for Reconstruction & Development has awarded an Ecu58·8m credit for track and signalling renewal, and CFR is close to finalising another deal with the European Investment Bank.

Italferr studies have costed upgrading of the Bucuresti - Brasov - Sighisoara - Alba Iulia - Curtici corridor for 160 km/h at US$466m, and improvements to the Bucuresti - Constanza line at US$660m. Routes identified for electrification include Constanza - Mangalia along the Black Sea coast (US$74·3m) and Timisoara - Stamora Moravita in the west of the country (US$54m). o

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