Developing high speed rail in France thanks to EU funded studies

Creation date: 11 February 2013

The European Union will support with €5 million from the TEN-T Programme technical, socio-economic and archaeological studies aimed at preparing the second phase of the construction of the eastern section of the Rhine-Rhône high speed line in France. Both the studies as well as the ensuing works will contribute to the realisation of the "Railway axis Lyon/Genova-Basel-Duisburg-Rotterdam/Antwerpen" (TEN-T Priority Project 24).

The project, which was selected for funding under the 2011 TEN-T Annual Call, will support the advanced studies required for the construction of the second section of the eastern branch of the Rhine-Rhône high speed line in France. The first section of this branch, which was also supported by the TEN-T Programme, entered into commercial use in December 2011.

In particular, the studies will tackle the alignment of the rail section, the preparation of tender documents, the identification of the necessary rail equipment as well as analysing the socio-economic and archaeological impact of the future works.

The Rhine-Rhône high speed line will bring France closer to the important economic regions of the northern Rhine and the Benelux, connecting them in turn with the Mediterranean countries.

The project is set to be completed by the end of 2014.

For more information, please consult the projects' page!

Press Release in French -  .doc (43 KB)

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