Denmark’s Banedanmark has secured EUR 19.3 million (approximately DKK 145 million) from the European Union to support the rollout of a new digital signalling system on the Korsør–Middelfart railway section in Funen. The funding, awarded through the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), will aid the implementation of ERTMS, the European Rail Traffic Management System, across a key part of the Scandinavian–Mediterranean transport corridor.
The project is part of Denmark’s broader national signalling programme, which aims to replace outdated analogue systems with modern, more reliable technology. The ERTMS system will improve the efficiency, capacity and punctuality of the railway network, while also increasing the maximum line speed to 200 km/h on the Korsør–Odense section.
Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen welcomed the EU’s contribution, saying: “The new signalling system will deliver much more stable and secure operations on the Danish railway. It’s a major vote of confidence in Banedanmark and Sund & Bælt that the EU is supporting the ERTMS rollout. Replacing the signals is a large and complex task that all EU countries must face, and we can be proud that Denmark is taking a leading role in phasing out analogue systems.”
Banedanmark has confirmed that the funding will be used to accelerate the installation of the digital system between Korsør and Middelfart. The route forms a strategic part of the TEN-T core network, making it a priority for EU infrastructure investment.
“The digital signalling system is a significant upgrade to infrastructure in both Denmark and Europe. It allows us to run trains more closely together, more efficiently and with better punctuality than the old, worn-out systems that caused many faults. We are pleased that the EU has chosen to support this important project,” Mads Søndergaard Petersen, Head of the Signalling Division at Banedanmark, said.
Sund & Bælt, which operates the Great Belt Fixed Link, has also been awarded DKK 32 million to implement the ERTMS system on that section of the corridor. Combined, the projects will ensure a consistent, cross-border signalling standard that facilitates international passenger and freight movement.
The ERTMS system is expected to be fully rolled out across the Funen railway by 2028, with the complete national programme due for completion by 2033. As other EU countries also progress with their ERTMS upgrades, the long-term aim is to streamline rail operations across borders, enabling faster, greener and more interoperable rail services across the continent.
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