Eight historic railway tunnels in Romania's Jiul Gorge to be modernized

Eight historic railway tunnels, some dating back over 80 years, are slated for modernization along the Bumbești–Livezeni line in Romania's Jiul Gorge. This challenging section of track, carved through a dramatic landscape, was a significant engineering feat of the early 20th century.

The "Rehabilitation of Bridges, Culverts, and Tunnels – SRCF Craiova" project, launched for tender in February 2025, encompasses design and execution for eight tunnels, two bridges, and four culverts. The overall estimated cost for this multi-lot acquisition is 148 million lei, excluding VAT.

CFR, the national railway infrastructure company, stated the project's goals include enhancing rail traffic safety, boosting operational efficiency, eliminating risks like speed restrictions and flooding, and reducing accident-related costs and environmental harm. The eight tunnels targeted for renovation have a combined length of 2,066 meters.

While the six lots for the project were reportedly awarded to Strabag in autumn 2025, a July 2026 CFR report listed them under "projects in acquisition," indicating no design or construction had begun. The project timeline allows for four to six months for design and six to eleven months for execution.

The Bumbești–Livezeni railway itself, spanning over 30 kilometers through the Jiul Gorge, links the Hunedoara and Gorj counties, connecting the historical regions of Transylvania and Oltenia. The line traverses a rugged terrain where the West and East Jiul rivers converge before flowing through the spectacular gorge.

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The general objectives of the project are to improve the safety of rail traffic on the railway network, increase the efficiency of operation and maintenance of the railway network in Romania, eliminate risks and associated restrictions, such as speed and tonnage restrictions, gauge limitations and flood risks, eliminate or reduce costs generated by rail accidents and incidents, and reduce adverse environmental effects.