Sea2Sea emerges as EU’s major transportation project with a cost of 3.7bn euros

The ambitious plan for the railway connection of 6 ports in Greece and Bulgaria, aka Sea2Sea, is proceeding at a satisfying pace. According to Ypodomes.com report, feasibility study has been completed, with a positive outcome, while the establishment of a transnational company has also been secured. As the same sources point out, the project is expected to be presented to EU’s Transport Commissioner Mrs. V. Bulc in the near future and consequently start its lengthy implementation process.

Another important factor is that the required funds for the 3.7bn-euro investment have been found. Most of the project’s scope concerns the Greek section where we will see a new, single-track railway line from Thessaloniki to Xanthi. The blending of funding for the project is yet to be unvailed, but it is considered certain that it will absorb European resources too.

High-rank officials from the Commission, speaking at Ypodomes.com, point out that the project is of great importance for the EU and enjoys the support of  both Commissioner Bulc and President Juncker himself. With regard to its funding, it was emphasized that it will be included in the next operational period of NSRF (2021-2027) and will also be granted funds from future CEF invitations.

The same officials point out that it is important for Romania to be incorporated in this developing project, but to date, according to sources from Greece, they have not shown any particular interest. In any case, we are before powerful developments that will finally trigger this large-scale project.

It is noteworthy that, Sea2Sea is no longer just a Greek demand as it has been included in the most recent Orient/East-Med Corridor drafts, which reinforces the possibilities for its future implementation, in a way.

Nikos Karagiannis-ypodomes.com

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