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

  • US transportation policy needs to restart to sort shortcomings
    August 2, 2012
    Joshua Schank has no illusions when it comes to what he and the Bipartisan Policy Center are suggesting in Performance Driven: New Vision for US Transportation Policy. Released in June of this year, this major report (see Sidebar, 'The Shift in Thinking') advocates no less than a root-and-branch overhaul of the way in which the US transportation system is run - how money is allocated and how the beneficiaries of that funding are selected. As its name suggests, Schank and his colleagues are urging senior US
  • USDOT awards infrastructure grants to 18 projects
    September 9, 2016
    US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced 18 infrastructure projects across the country that will receive federal grants as part of the new FASTLANE program. The grants, totalling nearly US$800 million, will be combined with other funding from federal, state, local and private sources to support US$3.6 billion in infrastructure investment in 15 states and the District of Columbia.
  • UK government launches new ultra low emission vehicles strategy
    September 5, 2013
    Transport Minister Norman Baker has launched the UK government’s strategy, Driving the future today - a strategy for ultra low emission vehicles in the UK, to drive forward the ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) industry. The new strategy signals a major change in the way vehicles will be powered in the future and reaffirms the government’s commitment to provide new opportunities for the motor industry to help grow the UK economy.
  • Promoting cycling is the solution to congestion and pollution
    August 20, 2015
    Cycling offers health, air quality and road space/parking benefits, promoting governments and the EU to look at tax and technology initiatives. David Crawford reports. One way to improve urban air quality is to make green alternatives to car use financially attractive. Incentivising employees to switch their travel-to-work mode to using their own bikes could increase cycling’s modal share of commuting travel by 50%, a recent French research project suggests. The country’s government already subsidises pu