Romania's Bihor County Council said it has signed the EU financing contract for its tram-train project in the northwestern city of Oradea.

The project is worth 1.431 billion lei ($330.1 million/280.6 million euro), of which 55 million lei will be funded by the council, while 1.376 billion lei will come from non-reimbursable EU funds, the Bihor County Council said in a press release on Friday.

The project involves creating a modern connection between the city of Oradea and surrounding metropolitan areas by linking the existing railway infrastructure to the tram network and expanding public transportation routes.

The new tram-train network will span a total length of 33.4 km and, providing connections to Oradea Airport, Sanmartin – Baile 1 Mai – Baile Felix, Bors – Industrial Park, and Santandrei – Girisu de Cris – Toboliu – Cheresig. Of the total length, 24.2 km will consist of railway lines that will be rehabilitated and electrified. The project also includes the construction of 27 stations as well as related infrastructure works.

Implemented by the Bihor County Council in partnership with Romanian railway operator CFR, the project has two components. The first focuses on infrastructure, including the modernization and expansion of the lines through the rehabilitation and electrification of the Oradea–Baile Felix – Cordau and Oradea – Toboliu sections. It also includes creating connections between the railway and the tram network in Oradea, as well as extending the tram line to the commune of Bors and to Oradea Airport.

The second component concerns the procurement of vehicles. The Council has already launched a tender for the purchase of 14 tram-train vehicles, capable of operating on both tram and train lines.