The European Court of Auditors has concluded that the EU will not meet its 2030 deadline for completing the core Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), citing rising costs and extended delivery times across major transport infrastructure projects.
The auditors reported that real construction costs for eight examined transport megaprojects have increased by an average of 82% compared with initial estimates, up from 47% recorded in 2020. The largest cost increases were observed on Rail Baltica, where costs have risen by 160% over the past six years, and on the Lyon–Turin rail link, where costs increased by 23% over the same period. Total EU grant funding for the eight projects has reached EUR 15.3 bn, including EUR 7.9 bn allocated since 2020.
Project delivery has also continued to slip. For five projects with available data, the average delay compared with original schedules has increased from 11 years in 2020 to 17 years in the 2025 update. The Basque Y high-speed line, initially scheduled to enter service in 2010, is now expected no earlier than 2030, with promoters indicating 2035 as more realistic. The Lyon–Turin rail link is now planned to open in 2033, while the Brenner Base Tunnel is expected to enter service in 2032 at the earliest. The Seine–Nord Europe Canal, originally due to open in 2010, is now projected for around 2032.
The Court noted that since 2020 the projects have been affected by additional pressures, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s war against Ukraine, new regulatory requirements and technical challenges. Despite recurring delays, the auditors found that the European Commission has made limited use of its existing legal powers to require explanations from member states for late delivery.
According to the report, the revised TEN-T Regulation strengthens the European Commission’s role in overseeing network completion. The auditors noted, however, that the effect will mainly apply to future projects and will depend on enforcement and compliance by EU member states.
The audit covers eight megaprojects in 13 EU countries, including four rail projects—Rail Baltica, the Lyon–Turin rail link, the Brenner Base Tunnel and the Basque Y—alongside the Fehmarn Belt fixed link.
