EU Transport Megaprojects Face Major Delays and Cost Overruns

European Transport Vision Derailed by Delays and Soaring Costs

A damning report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA) has revealed that the European Union's ambitious plan to create a seamless, sustainable transport network across the continent by 2050 is being severely undermined by massive delays and cost overruns in key infrastructure projects. The audit, covering eight major transport megaprojects, shows that the EU's 2030 deadline for completing its core transport network 'will undoubtedly be missed' according to the financial watchdog.

TEN-T Network in Crisis

The Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) is the backbone of Europe's transport infrastructure, designed to connect the continent through high-speed rail, modern roads, waterways, and airports. However, the ECA's January 2026 report paints a bleak picture: the eight audited projects have accumulated an average delay of 17 years and cost increases averaging 82% above original estimates. 'Three decades after most of them were designed, we are still a long way from cutting the ribbon on these projects,' said ECA member Annemie Turtelboom.

The projects span 13 countries including Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, France, and Italy, and have received €15.3 billion in EU funding. The delays are attributed to a combination of unexpected technical challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Russia's war on Ukraine, which disrupted supply chains and increased material costs.

Major Projects Facing Severe Setbacks

Several flagship projects are experiencing particularly severe problems:

Rail Baltica: The high-speed rail link connecting Tallinn, Riga, Kaunas, and Warsaw has seen costs skyrocket by 291% from original estimates. This strategic project, crucial for connecting the Baltic states to Western Europe, is now facing completion delays well beyond 2030.

Lyon-Turin Rail Link: Costs have increased by 127%, with the project now expected to open in 2033 instead of the original 2015 target. The project has faced significant environmental opposition, with protesters in southeastern France warning about ecological damage and drying springs.

Brenner Base Tunnel: Connecting Innsbruck, Austria with northern Italy, this tunnel aimed at shifting freight from road to rail will now cost 40% more than originally estimated and won't open until 2032 at the earliest - 16 years later than the original 2016 target.

Fehmarn Belt Link: The road/rail connection between Denmark and Germany faces a 52% cost increase and is now scheduled for 2029, 11 years later than planned, with potential further delays until 2031.

Seine-Nord Europe Canal: This waterway connecting Benelux countries with the Paris region has suffered a staggering 225% cost overrun.

Two Bright Spots Amid the Gloom

Not all news is bad. Two projects are actually performing better than expected:

Romania's A1 Motorway: Part of the Rhine-Danube Corridor, this project shows an 11% cost reduction and could be completed ahead of the 2030 deadline, providing a direct connection between Bucharest and the Hungarian border.

Poland's E59 Railway Line: Costs are down 18% for this Baltic Sea-Adriatic Sea corridor project, though no estimated opening date has been provided.

Governance Failures and Future Outlook

The ECA report criticizes the European Commission for not using legal instruments available to address delays with member states. 'The outlook in 2025 is worse than it was in 2020, and is very far from what was initially envisaged,' the auditors noted, updating their assessment from five years earlier.

Despite these challenges, the 2024 TEN-T Regulation provides stronger oversight tools for future projects. The auditors expressed hope that better coordination between national and European priorities will prevent similar problems in new megaprojects. However, for the current generation of infrastructure projects, Europe faces a reality of delayed connectivity and billions in additional costs.

As Europe strives to meet its climate goals - with transport accounting for 25% of EU emissions - these delays not only impact economic growth and trade but also hinder the transition to more sustainable transport modes.