Lyon-Budapest railway axis

The Lyon–Budapest railway axis (officially designated as Railway axis Lyon-Trieste-Divača/Koper-Divača-Ljubljana-Budapest-Ukrainian border) is a project of the Trans-European high-speed rail network (TEN-R), which involves the creation of a 1,638-kilometre-long (1,018 mi) high-speed rail line between Lyon, France and Budapest, Hungary, finally heading to the Ukrainian border.^[1]

Sections

Lyon-Turin

A map showing the French and international route of the new line compared to the existing one

The Turin–Lyon high-speed railway is a 270 km (170 mi)-long, 220 km/h (140 mph) railway line^[2] that will connect the two cities and link the Italian and French high-speed rail networks. The core of the project is a base tunnel measuring 57.5 km crossing the Alps between the Susa valley in Italy and Maurienne in France.^[3] The tunnel will be the longest rail tunnel in the world, being longer than the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which measures 57.1 km, and it represents one third of the estimated overall cost of the project.

Milan-Verona

Main article: Milan–Verona high-speed railway

The Milan-Verona High Speed Railway is a 165 km (103 mi) railway line being constructed between the cities of Milan and Verona. The first phase of the line opened in 2007 between Milan and Treviglio. In 2016, the second phase opened between Treviglio and Brescia. The third phase between Brescia and Verona is expected to open in 2026.^[4]

Verona-Ljubljana

Ljubljana-Budapest

Budapest-Ukrainian border

Criticism

At the start of the 1990s, the construction of the Lyon-Turin segment was announced, sparking strong opposition from the residents of Susa Valley in Italy. The inhabitants' primary concerns revolved around the potential environmental impact and public health consequences of the project.^[5]

See also

• Mont d'Ambin Base Tunnel
• Main line for Europe
• Trans-European high-speed rail network