Apart from the possibility of France missing CEF funding deadlines for constructing the Turin-Lyon railway, another issue persists. The project appears to be 15 to 20 million euros short in funds concerning investments in the railway’s access routes. If these funds are not found soon, the project will face another substantial obstacle towards its completion.

Stéphane Guggino, general delegate for La Transalpine Lyon-Turin, explained the situation to mesinfos.fr, a French publication. He said that by 30 January, the French side should submit the preliminary studies, including the financing plans of the railway access routes to the Turin-Lyon railway. In total, France needs to secure 220 million euros.

Now, the French face two challenges on this front: the first concerns the delay in submitting CEF funding applications because of a transitional period in the French government, which has left it without a transport minister. This could cost France about 90 million euros in lost EU funds.

The French government has pledged to finance the project with 84.7 million euros; however, it has made it clear that it cannot be the only one raising funds and needs the financial support of the local communities involved in the Turin-Lyon railway. On its behalf, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region has pledged 13 million euros to the project.

Tens of millions are still missing

Guggino stressed that the current funds are insufficient to meet the financial obligations of the preliminary studies, which could lead to the construction of railway access routes. He explained that it is up to the local governments to find and invest the missing 15 to 20 million euros.

Laurent Waquiez, the president of the Regional Council of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, highlighted to mesinfo.fr that his region has already allocated more than enough funding (13 million euros). At the same time, he said other parties involved have not yet done their part.

Specifically, the stance of the city of Lyon continues to be a thorn in the side of the project since the city council has not shown any interest in assisting financially. According to Guggino, this is one of the last barriers to be broken to complete the Turin-Lyon railway. Both Guggino and Waquiez stated that missing the opportunity to complete the project due to the inability to find enough funds remains an “unimaginable and unthinkable” case.