EU to provide €6.2 billion for new TEN-T projects

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The European Commission (EC) said the funding will be targeted towards transport infrastructure projects that align with the EU’s climate objectives.

Including the construction of railways, inland waterways and maritime infrastructure across the European Union, the support will extend to cross-border connections with Ukraine and Moldova through the establishment of Solidarity Lanes.

Significant cross-border rail connections within the TEN-T core network will also receive support.

Projects such as the Brenner Base tunnel, which links Italy and Austria, Rail Baltica connecting the Baltic States and Poland with the rest of Europe, and the cross-border sections between Germany and Switzerland (Karlsruhe to Basel) and Germany and The Netherlands (Emmerich-Oberhausen) will be prioritised.

Inland and marine ports

Ports in Ireland, Greece, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Poland are also set to undergo infrastructure upgrades, with the aim of developing an extensive network for short-sea shipping routes within the EU, incorporating on-shore power supply systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from moored vessels.

The improvement of inland waterway infrastructure along the Seine-Scheldt cross-border connection between France and Belgium will be another focal point, as well as several inland ports situated within the Danube and Rhine basins, including the ports of Vienna and Andernach.

As part of the project, the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) will be deployed on trains and railway lines within Austria, Germany, France, Denmark, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Moreover, Intelligent Transport Systems and Services (ITS), particularly C-ITS solutions, will be implemented across the road network in conjunction with Smart Advanced ITS solutions.

The CEF funding also extends to European air traffic management projects that support the concept of a Single European Sky, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of air travel.

What is TEN-T?

TEN-T is a comprehensive system linking roads, railways, inland waterways, short-sea shipping routes, ports and airports within and beyond the EU Member States.

The European Commission has stated that it aims to complete the core network of TEN-T by 2030 and the comprehensive network by 2050.

Ukraine in the mix

In response to Ukraine’s situation following the Russian war of aggression and the blockade of Ukrainian ports, the European Commission introduced an Action Plan for the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes.

This plan seeks to facilitate Ukrainian exports and bilateral trade, with nine projects receiving a total EU support of nearly €250 million.

These projects will focus on upgrading cross-border connections between neighbouring EU Member States (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania) and Ukraine/Moldova.