Skip to main content

EU proposes to spend €2.7 billion for 152 transport projects

The European Commission is proposing to invest US$3 billion (€2.7 billion) in 152 key transport projects that support competitive, clean and connected mobility in Europe.
June 29, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

The 1690 European Commission is proposing to invest US$3 billion (€2.7 billion) in 152 key transport projects that support competitive, clean and connected mobility in Europe. In doing so, the Commission is delivering on its Investment Plan for Europe and on Europe's connectivity, including the recent Europe on the Move agenda.

Selected projects will contribute to modernising rail lines, removing bottlenecks and improving cross-border connections, installing alternative fuel supply points, as well as implementing innovative traffic management solutions. This investment is made under the Connecting Europe Facility, the EU's financial mechanism supporting infrastructure networks, and will unlock US$5.3 billion (€4.7 billion) of public and private co-financing. Such investment will not only modernise Europe's transport network but also stimulate the economic activity and spur job creation.

Selected projects are mostly concentrated on the strategic sections of Europe's core transport network to ensure the highest EU added-value and impact. The largest part of the funding will be devoted to developing the European rail network, decarbonising and upgrading road transport and developing intelligent transport systems and deploying air traffic management systems.

Actions include flagship initiatives such as the upgrade of the over 100 km-long Białystok-Ełk rail section in Poland; modernisation of ATM systems in EU Member States; full expansion of the Karawanken road tunnel linking Slovenia and Austria; development of a high-speed electric vehicle charging network across Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy.

EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said: "The demand for investment in transport infrastructure is huge. This new wave of investment focuses on clean, innovative and digital projects to modernise Europe's transport network. Today we are one step closer to a true Transport Union, serving the needs of citizens, stimulating the economy and creating jobs. Looking ahead, I am inviting stakeholders to make best use of the remaining funds, using blending to maximise impact and leverage all possible resources."

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Towards intelligent road infrastructure
    October 8, 2021
    A digital transformation is happening in the world today and the result is that Europe’s transport infrastructure, and also the car industry are experiencing revolutionary changes. Jēkabs Krastiņš looks at the challenges and plots the road ahead.
  • Kistler Group plans further growth through innovation
    February 3, 2016
    With sales of US$341 million in 2015, the Switzerland-based Kistler Group overcame currency-related challenges to achieve continued growth and create some 120 new jobs around the world. The dynamic measuring technology manufacturer plans targeted investments in R&D during 2016 in order to develop innovative products and application-specific services. Kistler intends to expand its service offering by continuing to introduce application-specific service products until 2020. Innovative products will be ad
  • Driving hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to market
    July 19, 2017
    An EU-funded project, with the support of the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint undertaking (FCH JU), has installed hydrogen filling stations, tested prototype fuel cell vehicles and brought together car makers and infrastructure providers to push forward the commercial viability of this zero-emissions technology. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, which manufacturers aim to make commercially available from 2018, offer zero-emissions transport and function much like an electric vehicle. However, fuel cell vehicles mu
  • EIB provides loan for Rhine-Ruhr Express project
    July 17, 2015
    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing a US$370 million long-term loan to finance the upgrading of the local public transport system in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The funds will be used to purchase 82 new double-deck electric trains offering better energy efficiency, greater capacity and special barrier-free passenger comfort for the Rhine-Ruhr Express (RRX) project. RRX is North Rhine-Westphalia’s most important rail project. Promoted by the four neighbouring transport associations VRR,