Polish railway infrastructure manager – PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. is the largest beneficiary of EU funds from the Connecting Europe Facility financial instrument. The company has obtained 3.6 billion EUR in co-financing from CEF to increase the railway capacity. Thanks to 24 projects of a total value of 4.7 billion EUR, covering railway lines of European importance, passengers traveling by train in Poland gain attractive travel times and a more accessible, safe and punctual railway. Investments in European corridors develop efficient and environmentally friendly rail freight transport.
Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is one of the most important sources of financing infrastructure investments in the European Union. PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. implements 24 projects with a total value of 4.7 billion EUR. These are investments carried out on railway lines that are part of the international TEN-T transport network. Thanks to investments co-financed by CEF, travel between regions is even faster. Modernized lines and comfortable platforms, accessible to all passengers, make the ecological railway an increasingly attractive mean of public transport in Poland and Europe.
– Thanks to the support received from the Connecting Europe Facility, it was possible to implement 24 projects in Poland with a total value of 4.7 billion EUR. Last year, additional funding was granted to PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. from the unused allocations of other Member States. Additional funds were awarded to projects implemented on subsequent sections of the international Rail Baltica railway line, connecting the Baltic states with Poland and other EU countries. There are important investments for the trans-European and Polish rail networks. The result of the implementation of CEF projects is the development of railways, and thus benefits for the environment and support for the European Green Deal – says Ireneusz Merchel, President of the Management Board of PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A.
PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. is the largest railway infrastructure manager in Poland, managing a network of over 18.5 thousand km of railway lines, which accounts for 96% of the operated railway network in the country. In terms of the length of the railway network, Poland ranks third in the European Union (behind Germany and France).
CEF – an attractive railway in agglomerations
Thanks to investments realised with the participation of CEF funds travelling by rail are becoming more attractive and convenient also in Polish agglomerations. Every day and tourist travels around Warsaw are facilitated by the modernized line connecting Warsaw West and Warsaw Gdansk. Stops are accessible to people with reduced mobility, and communication is integrated with other means of public transport, e.g. metro. The modernization of the railway line from Grodzisk Mazowiecki to the capital provides residents with a quick and safe journey to work or school. A huge investment is currently ongoing in Krakow, thanks to it journeys in the city, the region and on an international route will be even more efficient thanks to an additional pair of tracks and new bridges.
Faster and safer between the Polish regions and Europe
Investments involving the Connecting Europe Facility bring benefits to the cities’ residents and regions and make rail, as the most environmentally friendly means of transport, more and more important in domestic and international transport. With the support of CEF funds, the last section of the Wegliniec – Zgorzelec line on the international route E 30 was electrified. The investment also allowed to improve domestic and international rail freight traffic. The co-financing provided shorter and more comfortable journeys on the line from Krakow to Katowice and from Zdunska Wola to Lodz. The travel time from Wroclaw to Poznan has also been shortened. Favourable changes are also awaiting passengers of the modernized line from the capital of Greater Poland to Szczecin, from Warsaw to Poznan, as well as from Kedzierzyn Kozle to Opole and from Siedlce to Terespol.
The modernization of the Polish section of Rail Baltica is one of the largest and most important railway investments carried out in the country. In Poland, it covers the section from Warsaw to the border in Trakiszki. It is easier and safer to travel by train from Warsaw towards Białystok. Works are carried out on the section from Czyzew to the capital of Podlaskie Voivodeship. In addition, investments are being carried out related to the construction of 12 two-level intersections, which will increase the level of safety on the line and improve transport. You can now use the viaduct over the tracks in Topor and the underground passages in Jasienica Mazowiecka and Lochow. The construction of two road viaducts in Lochow and one in Malkinia is advanced.
Passenger trains will accelerate to 250 km/h, and goods trains to 120 km/h. Faster trains mean more connections on this route and shorter travel time to work or school. After the completion of all works, the travel time on the route from Warsaw to Bialystok will be shortened to less than 1.5 hours. The works will also increase the number of connections, improve safety and increase the comfort of traveling. Railway will become an attractive, ecological alternative to road transport. As a result, it will be possible to reduce traffic jams on local roads and reduce CO2 emissions to the atmosphere.
As part of the 2021-2027 perspective, it is planned the continuation of the modernization of the Bialystok – Elk section and the modernization of the Elk – state border section for which a feasibility study and project documentation will be prepared in the current EU financial perspective (2014-2020).
Efficient freight transport
The pandemic situation did not stop railway investments in Poland. Work under CEF projects is also progressing. This is, inter alia, in the case of projects in the Slaskie Voivodeship – on the Czechowice – Dziedzice route and in seaports, the aim of which is to increase the capacity of the line to the ports of Gdansk, Gdynia, Szczecin and Swinoujscie and to ensure the possibility of a greater exchange of goods. There will be longer, even 750-meter and heavier trains. Ports will accept and clear more cargo, which will increase the competitiveness of transport and have a positive impact on the economic development of regions. Currently, intensive works are carried out but train traffic is maintained.
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