European investments are growing, as is the intensity of the work involved in defining and developing the nine rail corridors of the TEN-T network. ---- As reported in the first bulletin of Ferrovier3 against the war, the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) project consists of three levels: core network, extended core network, and full network. The core network includes the most important connections between major cities and hubs and must be completed by 2030. The extended core network must be completed by 2040. The full network connects all EU regions to the core network and must be completed by 2050. The project, also thoroughly analyzed in the article published in issue no. 8 of Umanità Nova, already in 2023 ("Transporting the War. Military Mobility 2.0 and the TEN-T Network"), involves Italy with four corridors: the Baltic-Adriatic, Scandinavian-Mediterranean, Rhine-Alps, and the Mediterranean.
In this context, recent complaints and initiatives promoted by the Ferrovier3 anti-war collective, some of which are jointly with the Livorno Antimilitarist Coordination, have shed light on a whole series of construction sites-already completed or still nearing completion-involving both the aforementioned corridors and the connections to the US arsenal at Camp Darby. These projects would otherwise have gone unnoticed, having been passed off by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (Italian Railway Network) as simple maintenance projects.
Tombolo, Pontedera, Palmanova, Genoa Sampierdarena-Parco FuoriMuro, and La Spezia Marittima are some examples of locations affected by the militarization of the civilian railway network, brought to the forefront. public opinion through demonstrations, leafleting, interviews, and press releases. This significant effort is in turn generating reflections and initiatives from civil society, anti-militarist groups, and other workers unwittingly drawn into the spiral of war.
With the exception of the work carried out on the two new tracks at the Tombolo railway yard (Pisa), which do not directly affect the TEN-T corridors but more specifically the connection between the Navicelli canal and the US arsenal at Camp Darby, the interventions in Pontedera, Palmanova, Genoa Sampierdarena-Parco FuoriMuro, and La Spezia Marittima are a direct result of both the Trans-European Transport Network project and the dual-use of the rail network, as envisaged at European and Italian levels.
Therefore, in compliance with the EU Commission directives and the aforementioned and extensively discussed Leonardo-RFI agreement of April 2024 (see Umanità Nova no. 22 June 2024 "Don't open that signal! Let's fight against trains The following scenarios were produced:
1) Pontedera (Pisa) and Palmanova (Udine): The project to increase the length of trains to 740 meters at the Pontedera and Palmanova stations, funded by the CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) with EUR3.8 million, has been completed. The project involves upgrading the Florence-Pisa railway line, part of the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor of the Core Network, and upgrading the Udine-Cervignano railway line, part of the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor of the Core Network, to the dual infrastructure standard, in order to allow the circulation of 740-meter-long trains at the Pontedera and Palmanova stations, respectively. The project contributes to the upgrade of the TEN-T Core Network railway infrastructure for efficient and cost-effective freight transport, as well as military mobility for training and defense purposes, thus enabling the dual civilian and defense use of the Florence-Pisa railway line and the Udine-Cervignano line (which connects the Udine hub with the urban area of Cervignano and the ports of Monfalcone and Trieste). The upgrade of the infrastructure for 740-meter-long trains will be carried out at Palmanova station by extending tracks 1, 2, 3, and 4, and at Pontedera station by extending track 4. Upgrades to safety, signaling, and electric traction systems have been carried out at both stations. (Source: European Commission, "List of completed CEF Transport projects funded under the military mobility envelope").
2) Genova Sampierdarena-Parco FuoriMuro: the project (with work scheduled for completion in 2027) includes European Union funding (CEF) of EUR28,774,201.50 provided to RFI for the Genoa airport. The project aims to connect the Port of Genoa to the TEN-T Rhine-Alpine corridor, increasing track capacity to accommodate trains up to 750 meters in length. This work is in line with Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 for the extension of the four European transport corridors of the TEN-T network to Ukraine and Moldova. The project includes the preparation of the detailed design and implementation of the works in the strategic port of Genoa, specifically in the Sampierdarena port basin, in the Fuori Muro Park area. The objective is to modernize the railway track system to accommodate trains up to 750 meters in length. The project also includes the installation of an electric traction system, the reconfiguration of the Supervision and Control System (including the Multi-station Supervision and Control System), and the signaling system, thus ensuring the circulation of dual-use traffic, both civil and military. The project is part of a comprehensive project to upgrade the Genoa railway hub, the Terzo Valico dei Giovi, and the port's last-mile rail link.
In the long term, the rail infrastructure, serving the port and Genoa, will enable faster and more efficient freight movement, as well as adapting the system to accommodate trains up to 750 meters in length, benefiting the entire logistics chain. The purpose of the works is to connect the port of Genoa to the Rhine-Alpine TEN-T corridor by increasing track capacity to accommodate trains up to 750 meters in length, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 for the extension of the four European transport corridors of the TEN-T network to Ukraine and Moldova (source: European Commission "Upgrading to Dual Use parameters of the Port Basin of Genoa Sampierdarena - Parco Fuori Muro on the Rhine-Alpine CNC" and RFI "RFI - Cef Military-Mobility Call: EUR29 million in funding for the modernization of the Sampierdarena port basin").
3) La Spezia Marittima: The project involves the construction of the new La Spezia Marittima rail freight terminal, in line with the requirements for dual civilian use and military mobility purposes. Additionally, two studies will be conducted on future investment needs for dual-use, with the aim of improving the strategic port of La Spezia's connection with Northern Italy and Central Europe via the Mediterranean Corridor and the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor. Specifically, the works will increase the capacity and performance of the current track layout at the La Spezia Marittima freight yard, thus improving its use for both military and civilian purposes. The works will enable the efficient and continuous transport of military personnel, vehicles, and supplies, ensuring the circulation of 750-meter-long trains and optimizing the capacity of the port's internal rail network. This will facilitate the smooth movement of both international military rail units and commercial freight transport to and from the port of La Spezia. The two studies will assess the potential for improving the last-mile rail connection to the port and compliance with the Technical Specifications for Interoperability for Telematics Applications for Freight Services (TAF TSI), in order to manage dual-use traffic flows from the port of La Spezia to the Mediterranean Corridor and the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor. In the long term, the modernized rail infrastructure will facilitate and improve dual-use civil and military mobility, significantly strengthening the European Union's military mobility capabilities while ensuring the port's commercial operations. The project will ensure the defensive readiness of the port of La Spezia, along with its strategic integration into the corridors and regional resilience, promoting solidarity among EU Member States (Source: European Commission, "Enabling Swift Military Movements in La Spezia").
As can be seen, the project documents have been reproduced in their entirety, without any changes. This decision was deemed necessary to clarify beyond any doubt the direction our leaders are taking us. The war emerges crystal clear from those clear and chilling reports, and billions of euros are being squandered in the face of the European Commission's insane urgency for war. Beyond the daily, delirious proclamations about the Ukrainian conflict, what is evident is a practical, social, and mental preparation for the expansion of war scenarios in Europe and the rest of the world. It is important to emphasize that explosives shipments are not limited to "supplying" Ukraine, but also to all other theaters of war, either ongoing or in the process of being launched.
As the Ferrovier3 Contro la Guerra collective, we demand not only an end to all wars, but also a halt to militarized transportation and military work on the railway network. Public funds-in the railway sector-must be used to improve civilian mobility, safety, and collective bargaining agreements for railway personnel (along with substantial and necessary hiring). Furthermore, we affirm that the ongoing mobilization regarding non-repayable contracts and agreements must become one with the antimilitarist mobilization, as labor exploitation fuels war. There will be no better working conditions unless, as ferrovieri3, we break this bond. Likewise, we believe it is essential to continue to unite our activities with antimilitarist groups, workers, and civil society, because war affects everyone. There are no sectors that can afford to go it alone; only with unity can we save ourselves from devastation and poverty.
A.P. Railway Workers Against the War
https://umanitanova.org/i-lunghi-binari-della-guerra-rete-transeuropea-dei-trasporti-ten-t/
_________________________________________
Link: (en) Italy, FAI, Umanita Nova #4-26 - Long tracks of war. Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) (ca, de, it, pt, tr)[machine translation]
Source: A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten