Transport infrastructure: EU funds German projects with almost 500 million euros
As part of the "Connecting Europe Facility" (CEF), the EU program for investment in transport infrastructure, the European Commission is supporting 134 projects with grants totaling seven billion euros. Of this, 479 million euros will go to Germany. There, nine national projects will be funded from the EU pool. Additionally, there are ten cross-border EU projects with German participation. Furthermore, the rail section of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel between Denmark and Germany and the southern access route to the Brenner Base Tunnel will be funded. This was decided by the EU Member States on July 16, 2024.
More environmentally friendly, efficient, safer, and more attractive
In allocating the funds, the Commission placed a clear focus on climate protection and the improvement of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) along railways, inland waterways, and sea routes. Around 83 percent of the funds are devoted to projects that meet one of these two goals. Alone, 80 percent of the funding is going towards improving rail infrastructure.
“The selected projects will help reshape the European transport network, making more environmentally friendly modes of transport more efficient and attractive for both passenger and freight transport, while simultaneously enhancing safety across the entire TEN-T,” summarized EU Commissioner for Climate and Transport Policy Wopke Hoekstra.
Some Solidarity Corridors EU-Ukraine
Projects to support the solidarity corridors between the EU and Ukraine have also been financed.
“These new corridors are crucial for the integration of Ukraine and Moldova into the EU.”
Several projects aim to improve capacities along the solidarity corridors between the EU and Ukraine that were established to facilitate imports and exports between Ukraine and the EU. This includes improving road infrastructure at border crossings between Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania or expanding the capacity of the railway border crossing between Hungary and Ukraine, the Commission announces. Additionally, a new road section in Poland will be extended to the border with Ukraine. Studies and work to integrate the Ukrainian railway system into the EU are also supported.
Cross-Border Rail Connections
Within the EU, funds are allocated to major projects that improve cross-border rail connections along the TEN-T core network. In the Baltic member states, this includes Rail Baltica, the Lyon-Turin corridor between France and Italy, and the Fehmarnbelt tunnel between Denmark and Germany.
Seaports
Furthermore, about 20 seaports in Ireland, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, Malta, Lithuania, Cyprus, Croatia, Greece, and Poland are supported in expanding their infrastructure. This includes land-based power supply for ships and the transport of renewable energies.
Inland Waterway Transport
Inland waterway transport receives grants for infrastructures that improve cross-border connections between France and Belgium in the Seine-Scheldt basin and between Romania and Bulgaria on the Danube. Inland ports in Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands also receive funds to further promote the European river and canal network for sustainable transport.
Intelligent Transport Systems
In the area of road transport, the focus is on improving individual and professional mobility. The emphasis is on cooperative, intelligent connected transportation systems and services (ITS) as well as new, secure, and protected parking areas.
Air Transport
The funding for air transport aims to support management projects that serve the development of a single European sky. This is intended to make air transport more efficient, safer, and more sustainable.
Overview of the nine German projects:
- Planning and construction of the cross-border section Angermünde (Germany) - Szczecin (Poland): The railway line between Angermünde and the German-Polish border is to be upgraded to improve the connection between Germany and Poland.
- Modernization of the TEN-T network / C-ITS services: The project modernizes the TEN-T network by maintaining and expanding C-ITS services. The existing infrastructure should be better utilized, especially in cities. Additionally, its use in Germany and Europe should be simplified. The main advantage of the project is better and safer mobility on TEN-T roads.
- Hamburg - Lübeck - Puttgarden: As part of the overall Fixed Fehmarn Belt Connection project, the existing railway line on the island of Fehmarn is to be expanded with additional tracks. The main benefit of the project is the improvement of cross-border rail connections between Germany and Denmark.
- Land-side battery charging aiming for zero emissions on the Puttgarden-Rødby connection: For the freight and passenger ferries between the ports of Rødby (Denmark) and Puttgarden (Germany), a land-side power supply is to be installed. The main benefit of the project is more environmentally friendly sea transport for freight and passengers.
- Construction of a high and heavy-duty terminal on a new port peninsula in the port of Straubing-Sand: The project involves the construction of a freight terminal in the port of Straubing-Sand on the Danube. The benefit of the project is the improvement of the multimodality of inland waterway transport through a freight terminal in an inland port on the Danube in Germany.
- Karlsruhe/Basel: The project involves work on section 8 of the railway line between Karlsruhe and Basel. The main advantage of the project is the increase in rail capacity and the efficiency of freight and passenger transport for better cross-border connections between Germany and Switzerland.
- Karlsruhe/Basel: The project involves work on the railway line between Karlsruhe and Basel. The goal is to improve rail transport and move more people and goods from Germany to Switzerland.
- Upgrades and retrofits for electric locomotives: The project involves the retrofitting of 19 freight locomotives to ERTMS Level 2, Baseline 3, making the TEN-T network in Germany safer, more efficient, and better connected.
- Wonder Line: Between Germany and the Netherlands, the railway line from Leer to the Dutch border is to be expanded. This will improve and speed up rail transport in the Netherlands.
Next steps
The provisional approval of the 134 projects by the EU member states remains provisional until the Commission has officially adopted the financing decision. Thereafter, the responsible European agency CINEA will start drafting the grant agreements. The results are only final when the European Commission then adopts the corresponding award decision.
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