Trans-European road network

The Trans-European road network (TERN) was defined by Council Decision 93/629/EEC of October 29, 1993, and is a project to improve the internal road infrastructure of the European Union (EU). The TERN project is one of several Trans-European transport networks.

The EU promises that TERN will "promote the carriage of goods and passengers by improving the major highway infrastructures needed by the internal market and the area without frontiers." [1] Opponents, such as the Campaign Against Euro Federalism [2], argue that it will help transnational corporations to lobby for more road-building while distancing the decision-makers from the protests of local people.

Selected TERN Projects

• Øresund Bridge (1992-1994)
• Sidcup Bypass, Kent (1985)
• M25 motorway upgrades (1985)
• M20 motorway upgrades (1986, 1989)
• E-18 (Nordic Triangle) route in Finland (1995-2001)
• A6 extensions in Germany (1997)
• A43 improvements in Maurienne, France (1998)
• A8 autobahn, Germany (2000)
• N-340 de Cádiz a Barcelona por Málaga, Spain (2001)
• Pathe (north-south) and Via Egnatia (east-west) motorways, Greece (1990-2004)
• Ireland-UK-Benelux Link

References

[1] Activities of the European Union - Summaries of Legislation - Trans-European Networks - Transport (http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l24092.htm)

[2] Who Benefits and Loses from the Trans European road Network System by Brian Denny (http://www.bullen.demon.co.uk/cibcaef4.htm)