Construction group FIEC calls for European bridge mandate

Europe needs a common approach to bridge safety inspections to prevent collapses and closures, according to the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC).

The Federation specifically called for an update to the EU's Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) policy. FIEC argued that a common European approach for inspections and quality ratings for TEN-T infrastructure should be developed, whereby individual nation-states are held accountable for bridge maintenance.

FIEC said that the revision of the TEN-T Regulation should "contain concrete obligations for Member States to invest in the maintenance of existing parts of the network".

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TEN-T is an EU-backed transport network covering roads, railways, airports and water infrastructure across the bloc. It aims to improve transport connections for people and goods throughout the continent and to encourage sustainable mobility in the bloc by encouraging a shift from road to rail.

FIEC made the calls for an update to TEN-T at last week's Bridge Maintenance & Safety in Europe Conference, where it also reiterated its concerns regarding the threats posed by ageing infrastructure, in particular bridges. 

"The overall lack of proper level of investment in maintenance of infrastructure has led to the deterioration of transport infrastructure as demonstrated by the collapse or frequent closure of bridges", it said in a statement.

"It is crucial to guarantee the funding of infrastructure maintenance by earmarking specific tax revenues, mobilising grants, implementing road pricing schemes or exploring public-private partnerships (PPP), and to adapt project contracting to include maintenance activities".

It also pointed out that continuous maintenance of existing infrastructure is necessary to ensure the quality level of the TEN-T network remains of an adequate standard. 

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Regular maintenance can also contribute to the circular economy in the sector by prolonging the infrastructure's lifetime and therefore reducing consumption of raw materials, waste generation, and cutting CO2 emissions.

FIEC is made up of 32 industry bodies across the 24 EU member states, plus Norway, Switzerland and Ukraine, as well as construction companies of all sizes that carry out building and civil engineering activities.

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