Key transport projects across the European Union, designed to enhance connectivity for people and goods by 2030, are significantly behind schedule despite €15.3 billion in EU funding since 2020. A new report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA), published Monday, reveals substantial delays and escalating costs are jeopardizing the bloc’s ambitious infrastructure goals. These setbacks threaten to undermine Europe’s economic competitiveness and climate objectives.
The delays stem from a combination of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which triggered a surge in energy and construction prices. The Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) legislation, adopted in 2013, aimed to modernize and integrate Europe’s transport infrastructure, but progress has been hampered by these unforeseen challenges and, according to the ECA, insufficient oversight.
Major Cost Overruns Plague EU Transport Projects
The ECA assessed eight megaprojects and found an overall real cost increase of 47% against original estimates. Data from 2025 indicates costs have now risen to over 82%, with Rail Baltica, connecting the Baltic states, and the Lyon-Turin rail link, connecting Italy and France, contributing most significantly to the budget gaps. Construction costs for the Canal Seine Nord Europe have tripled since the project’s inception.
Auditors found the European Commission’s supervision of member states’ progress on core network corridors “remained distant.” The report argues the Commission should have been more proactive, particularly in light of a 2020 ECA report that already flagged major delays and weaknesses in oversight. The ECA provided recommendations to improve financial management of EU co-funding for these large-scale projects.
Impact on EU Goals
Failure to deliver the TEN-T network on time and within budget has serious implications for the EU’s 2030 targets. Efficient transport is crucial for Europe’s economy and its ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Delayed rail, waterway, and clean infrastructure projects contribute to higher emissions and increased costs for businesses and consumers.
Fragmented and inefficient transport networks also reduce trade opportunities across the EU. The Basque Y railway line, initially slated for completion in 2010, is now expected no earlier than 2030. The Lyon-Turin rail link’s opening is forecast for 2033, significantly delayed from its original 2015 target. The Brenner Base Tunnel is now expected in 2032, pushed back from 2016.
A History of Delays and Revisions
The TEN-T initiative was first proposed in the early 1990s to strengthen the internal market and improve connectivity. Initial guidelines were adopted in 1996, focusing on priority cross-border infrastructure projects. The policy has undergone several revisions to address gaps and technical fragmentation, particularly in rail and waterways. A major reform in 2013 established a two-layer structure with completion targets for 2030 and 2050.
The latest revision in 2024 aimed to align the TEN-T with the European Green Deal and defense goals. However, concerns remain about member states’ commitment to shared European goals, with national priorities potentially taking precedence.
Completing the TEN-T requires substantial investment. The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) estimates a need for €500 billion by 2030 and €1,500 billion by 2050. The CER has called for increased funding through the Connecting Europe Facility, the EU’s dedicated funding instrument, suggesting a minimum of €100 billion for the next long-term EU budget plan (2028-2035).
The ECA’s report serves as a stark warning about the challenges facing the TEN-T. Looking ahead, increased Commission oversight, stronger coordination with member states, and sustained investment will be critical to getting these vital infrastructure projects back on track and realizing the EU’s vision for a fully connected and sustainable transport network. Stakeholders should monitor progress closely and advocate for the necessary resources to ensure the 2050 targets remain achievable.
