EU Auditors Warn TEN-T Core Network 2030 Goal is 'Out of Reach'

Europe’s future ability to move heavy-lift cargo efficiently across borders is facing growing uncertainty after the European Court of Auditors (ECA) today warned the EU’s core transport infrastructure plans are years behind schedule and vastly over budget. The EU’s spending watchdog concluded that completion of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) core corridors by the 2030 deadline is now ‘entirely out of reach, with major projects suffering average delays of almost two decades compared with original plans. The findings have direct implications for the transport of abnormal and indivisible loads, which rely heavily on continuous, high-capacity road, rail, inland waterway and port infrastructure across national borders. Rail Baltica The ECA examined eight major EU-backed transport megaprojects and found real cost increases of around 80 per cent compared with initial estimates, alongside significant construction delays. Rail Baltica, the key north–south corridor intended to strengthen freight connectivity between the Baltic states and the rest of Europe, was highlighted as one of the most affected projects, with costs rising sharply and core sections now unlikely to be operational before 2030. Image: Wikimedia Commons. © DG Mobility and Transport, European Commission According to the auditors, incomplete corridors and persistent bottlenecks undermine the EU’s ambition to shift freight towards more sustainable modes and weaken the reliability of long-distance transport chains. For oversized freight operators, this translates into continued dependence on fragmented national networks, inconsistent technical standards and limited intermodal transfer options. Escalating costs The report also raises concerns that escalating costs are absorbing large portions of EU and national transport budgets, potentially crowding out targeted investments such as bridge reinforcements, rail gauge upgrades, port handling capacity and inland waterway improvements that are critical for heavy and abnormal cargo movements. While rail features prominently in the auditors’ assessment, they also cover major inland waterway schemes, underlining their role in the EU’s freight strategy. Projects such as the Seine–Nord Europe Canal – as featured yesterday in PCJ – which are intended to create a high-capacity inland shipping link between northern France and the Benelux region, were cited as experiencing significant cost escalation and delays. Contributing factors While external shocks such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine were cited as contributing factors, the ECA pointed to structural weaknesses in project governance, planning and oversight. It noted that the European Commission has rarely used its enforcement powers to address delays or ensure timely delivery of cross-border infrastructure. Although a revised TEN-T regulation entered into force last year with stricter requirements and milestones, the auditors cautioned that its success will depend on consistent implementation by member states.