The Seine-North Europe canal project is a major infrastructure initiative designed to link the Paris region to northern European ports over a distance of 107 kilometers. Originally estimated to cost 3.6 billion euros in 2006, the price has now risen to nearly nine billion euros, reflecting inflation, planning challenges, and the complexity of large-scale construction. Declared a public utility in 2008, the project did not begin construction until October 2022—nearly 14 years after its initial announcement. Even before construction started, the cost had already increased from 3.6 billion euros in 2006 to 4.2 billion euros by 2009. The canal is part of a broader European transport strategy, connecting the Seine and Scheldt rivers to a vast network of navigable waterways across Europe, spanning over 20,000 kilometers. It aims to allow large barges, each capable of carrying up to 4,400 tons of cargo—equivalent to 220 trucks—to move goods efficiently. This would help facilitate trade between France, Belgium, and the Netherlands by offering a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to road transport. The canal will link Compiegne in the Oise department to Aubencheul-au-Bac in the Nord department, passing through several regions along the way. The significant delay in starting construction has highlighted the difficulty of securing funding. The project relies on a combination of European Union funds, national government contributions, and support from local authorities, making the financial process complex and slow. Despite these challenges, the canal is still scheduled to be completed by 2030, although this deadline is under pressure due to ongoing uncertainties in funding and potential delays. Construction has begun in phases, starting in the Oise department in 2022 and moving toward the Nord department. The project has now spanned four presidencies of the French Republic, yet no construction equipment had been deployed on-site until recently. Meeting the 2030 deadline will depend on avoiding further setbacks, especially as the financing of such large-scale projects continues to be subject to annual budget decisions by the national government and regional authorities.