Increasingly intense heat waves are forcing European countries to take extraordinary measures to protect infrastructure, as experts warn that roads, railways and airports are not designed for the extreme temperatures that are becoming more frequent. At Oslo airport, where temperatures reached 30 degrees Celsius, about 10 degrees above the seasonal norm, workers poured about 9 liters of water on the runway to cool it and prevent damage to the asphalt from the weight of the planes.

“Our infrastructure is not prepared for the extreme weather events we will see in the future,” said Chris Dodwell, co-head of the resilience center at Impax Asset Management. According to a report published in 2025 by the European central banks, heat waves, droughts and floods could reduce the eurozone’s Gross Domestic Product by 4.7% by 2030.

Railways under pressure
High temperatures are also causing serious problems on European rail networks. A European Union report published in April showed that more than 70% of rail operators have reported increasingly frequent disruptions due to extreme weather. The heat can warp tracks, damage signals and cause power outages, while storms and landslides that follow heatwaves worsen the situation.

In Britain, Network Rail has planned to invest $3.5 billion between 2024 and 2029 to make its rail network more resilient to climate change. Meanwhile, the Stockholm Transport Authority has used a simpler solution, painting sections of its metro tracks white to reflect heat and reduce the risk of deformation.

Eurostar orders trains for temperatures up to 55°C
Eurostar, which operates high-speed rail links between Britain and mainland Europe, has changed the specifications for its new fleet. Instead of trains being designed for temperatures of up to 45°C, the company now requires vehicles that can operate in conditions of up to 55°C, considering they will be in service until the 2060s.

The change is part of a £1.7bn contract with Alstom to supply 50 new trains. According to Eurostar’s chief executive, Gwendoline Cazenave, heatwaves are occurring earlier, lasting longer and being more intense than ever before, forcing the company to invest in technology that has so far been used mainly in countries with very hot climates. Experts say Europe could benefit from the experience of countries such as Saudi Arabia, where transport systems are designed for temperatures above 50°C.

At the same time, roads are also facing new challenges. Engineers explain that Northern European highways are built primarily to withstand frost, while southern countries use asphalt mixtures better suited to prolonged heat. Norwegian authorities have announced that new infrastructure projects will be built to new standards, to cope with both harsh winters and increasingly hot summers, a direct consequence of climate change.

© BalkansWeb
To become part of the group "Balkanweb" just click: Join Group and your request will be approved immediately. Groups Balkanweb
Label: