In a landmark ruling, the Iași Court of Appeal has declared the environmental permit issued for the Bacău–Pașcani section of the A7 Highway illegal. While the decision is not final and may be appealed, it casts serious doubt on the future of this strategic infrastructure project.
The A7 Highway, also known as the Moldova Motorway, is financed through loans under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). A potential cancellation of the construction authorization could jeopardize the European funding allocated to the project.
The case was brought to court by the Saints Constantine and Helena – Light and Hope of Christians Foundation, a non-governmental organization operating a care home for the elderly in Pașcani. According to legal documents, the foundation’s facility is located on the planned route of a highway overpass, which would require the relocation of key social services provided there.
According to Apix.ro, concerns were first raised in November 2023, when the foundation was formally notified to vacate the church courtyard to allow for construction to begin.
A Strategic Project Under Threat
The Bacău–Pașcani segment, divided into three construction lots, is already underway, with works in Iași County—between Mircești and Pașcani—starting in May 2023. The physical progress of the project currently stands at 32%, and completion is scheduled for February 2026.
This court ruling does not immediately revoke the construction permit, but it introduces significant legal and administrative uncertainty, posing a serious challenge for both national authorities and construction companies involved.
Official Silence and Community Impact
As of now, neither the Ministry of Transport nor the National Company for Road Infrastructure Administration (CNAIR) has issued an official response regarding the court’s decision.
The case highlights a critical tension between infrastructure development and social impact, especially in regions where communities depend on local support services. It also raises broader questions about public consultation, transparency, and the environmental and social evaluation processes behind large-scale projects.
What Comes Next?
It remains to be seen whether the ruling will be upheld by higher courts and what remedial actions will be taken to reconcile the interests of local communities with the need to advance one of Romania’s most important infrastructure projects.
For now, the A7 Highway—seen as a backbone for Moldova’s development—faces a complicated legal battle that could delay its implementation and risk the loss of vital European funding.
