EIB grants Poland EUR 210 mln for railway development

The European Investment Bank (EIB) granted four loans totalling more than PLN 1 billion for investments in environment protection, urban infrastructure modernisation in Łódź and railway infrastructure in western Poland.
EIB granted PKP PLK a loan of EUR 100 million, (about PLN 414 million) for modernisation of more than 71 km of the E 59 railway between Rawicz and Czempiń. These works, worth more than PLN 1.6 billion, are part of a comprehensive modernisation of the E 59 railway between Wrocław and Poznań, which consists of the total reconstruction of rails and tractions. The modernisation shall also include power supply, signalling and telecommunication systems. Passenger trains will be able to reach 160 km/h on the modernised route, whereas cargo trains will be able to reach up to 120 km/h. Passengers will use new, comfortable platforms. Modernisation will take into account the needs related to environmental protection. Level crossing safety will also increase as several of them are to be substituted with viaducts.
EIB also granted two loans worth EUR 110 million (PLN 450 million) in total for regeneration of urban infrastructure in ‎Łódź. Projects in transport, such as prolongation of tram lines, construction of bike routes and modernisation of road infrastructure (among others, W-Z Route and the region around Fabryczna Railway Station and Łódź-Widzew stadium) will lead to an increase in road safety, shortening of travel times and will promote eco-friendly transport.