Czechia’s Minister of Transport, Martin Kupka, has announced that CZK 62.7 billion (EUR 2.5 billion) will be available in 2025 for the track and station modernisation projects, a budget increased by CZK 1 billion (EUR 39.5 million) compared to 2024.
CZK 39.3 billion (EUR 1.55 billion) will be used for priority projects such as the modernisation of the important Česká Třebová junction, for the construction of the first sections of high-speed rail line between Brno – Přerov which is expected to be launched in the next year, actions that will be followed by intensive preparation of high-speed line projects.
CZK 19.25 billion (EUR 759.7 million) will be spent on track repair and maintenance next year, an amount which will be increased by funds intended for the removal of flood damage. The most important projects in 2025 include the complete repair of the track railway from Tanvald to Kořenov, as well as the repair of the Olbramovice – Sedlčany line and switches at the Příbram and Česká Kamenice stations. The bridge over the Jihlava River between the Jihlava and Jihlava město stations is also due for renovation.
“Dozens of other important construction projects will begin on the Czech railways in 2025. A major milestone will be the start of construction of the first line sections for a speed of 200 km/h as part of building a high-speed connection between Brno and Přerov. From a safety perspective, the first thing to mention is the launch of exclusive operation of the modern ETCS train protection system, which will take place in January on 622 km of corridor lines,” the Minister of Transport Martin Kupka, said.
The Czech rail infrastructure manager Správa Železnic (SŽ) is currently reconstructing three dozen of station buildings, and next year work will begin on more than 20 more locations. In total, almost CZK 2.3 billion (EUR 90.8 million) will be spent on their maintenance, repairs and reconstruction.
“We are currently renovating historically valuable buildings in Pardubice, Ostrava-Vítkovice, Jaroměř or Lovosice, and as part of the overall modernisation, new stations will be built in Prague-Bubeneč and Brno-Královo Pole. Next year, we will begin the reconstruction of the remaining part of the Fantova building at Prague Main Station, and we will start building a completely new building in Mladá Boleslav,” the Director General of SŽ, Jiří Svoboda, said.
The implementation of the railway project to Václav Havel Airport will continue in 2025. The construction projects already underway will include the modernisation of the section from Prague-Ruzyně to Kladno.
This year, the European Investment Bank has proposed a loan of EUR 500 million for Prague – Kladno rail project, with total eligible costs of EUR 1.35 billion. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.
The reconstruction of the main railway station in Hradec Králové and Česká Třebová station will be fully underway. Česká Třebová station will undergo a complete reconstruction corresponding to its importance for passenger and freight transport. In July, SŽ announced a tender for the modernisation of Česká Třebová estimated at EUR 789 million, with contractor to be unveiled by the end of the year and works expected to be completed in 2031.
On the important connection between Brno and Přerov, the Správa Železnic will begin the modernisation of two sections between Nezamyslice and Přerov. This will effectively create a high-speed line that will be part of the future high-speed network in the Czech Republic. After the work is completed, trains will be able to use a double-track line allowing speeds of up to 200 km/h. The overall transformation of the cross-border connection between West Bohemia and Bavaria will start with the reconstruction of the existing line between Pilsen, Nýřany and Chotěšov. Work will also begin on electrification and capacity expansion of the line from Týniště nad Orlicí to Solnice.
Several rail sections will undergo renewal, including a part of the so-called right bank between Nymburk and Liběchov or the line from Horní Lidč on the state border with Slovakia. The renewal of the overhead line between Úpořine and Ohníčí in the Ústí nad Labem Region and the marshalling yard – Babín branch in the Nymburk section will be of particular importance for freight transport. The gradual replacement of the overhead line on the Tábor – Bechyně line will begin, and reconstruction will then take place in the Olomouc – Blatec and Police nad Metují – Teplice nad Metují sections.
As part of the track and station modernisation programme for the next year, 47 km are expected to be added in 2025 to the 73 km modernised sections to be completed this year.
Regarding the high-speed rail plan, SŽ is continuing designs and other activities. Out of the planned 750 km, 50% of the future network has now been designed. SŽ has also selected the designer of the last part of the high-speed line from Prague to Brno, covering the section between Světlá nad Sázavou and Velká Bíteší. At the same time, geological and engineering surveys have begun in Prosenice and Přerov-Čekynie on the route of the future VRT Moravská brána. This is also planned for the site of the Krušnohorský tunnel this year. “At the turn of the year, we expect to receive a positive opinion on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of VRT Moravská brána. This will allow us to start purchasing land. We are also continuing with architectural competitions, and in the coming days we will announce one for the planned Kořenice-Bečváry VRT terminal. We should know its form in the spring of next year,” explains Jiří Svoboda.
The 74 km VRT (fast connection) Moravská brána is a new high-speed line between Brodek u Přerova (20 km south of Olomoucký) and Ostrava-Svinov station and an essential section of the fast connection between Brno and Ostrava that will allow trains to run at 320 km/h.
SŽ is also working on ensuring the management of VRT operations from central dispatching offices in Prague and Přerov. In November, the company will begin design work on a new building that will be built in Prague’s Balabence.
Significant improvement for passengers in East Bohemia was the completion of the complete reconstruction of the Pardubice main station, and work has also been completed on the connecting section to Stéblová. Now, almost the entire line between the two East Bohemian metropolises is double tracked. The section from Střelice to Zastávka u Brna will get two tracks and an overhead line for electric trains by the end of the year. A second track was also added in Prague on the Branický Bridge and in the section to the new Spořilov branch.
From the point of view of international transport, it is important to complete the modernisation of the line from Lanžhot to the state border with Slovakia. This year, SŽ will complete the reconstruction of the Vsetín station, including the terminal building, and open a new overpass over the corridor in Olomouc’s Holická Street. After the complete reconstruction, trains between Vlkov u Tišnova and Křižanov have already returned.
This year, Správa Železnic completed the renovation of several large buildings, in Pilsen, České Budějovice and Beroun. The first stage, focused on the facade and roof of this historically valuable building, has been completed in Teplice. The construction workers in Světlá nad Sázavou have also announced that it is complete.
Track and station modernisation projects to start in 2025:
- Modernisation of Prague-Ruzyně – Kladno and Brno – Přerov lines;
- Modernisation of Česká Třebová and Hradec Králové railway junctions;
- Increasing transport capacity on the Týniště nad Orlicí – Častolovice – Solnice line
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