PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe has launched three rail infrastructure tenders totalling PLN 6 billion (EUR 1.4 billion) implemented with the support of EU and budget funds.
The projects cover the modernisation of Gdynia – Lębork and Stalowa Wola – Tarnobrzeg – Sandomierz – Ocice – Padew railway lines as well as the construction of Szczyrzyc – Tymbark line.
The tender for the modernisation of Gdynia – Lębork railway is the next stage of the investment on railway line no. 202, connecting the Pomeranian Voivodeship with the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. As part of the project, 13 stations and stops along the route will be rebuilt, which will significantly improve the comfort of passengers. Convenient access will also be provided for people with limited mobility. In addition, four new stops will be built that will increase the access to rail services in this part of the Pomeranian Voivodeship. The project will increase transport capacity as it will allow more trains to run on the line. Better route capacity and access to the Tri-City agglomeration will be ensured by the second track on the Gdynia Chylonia – Rumia, Wejherowo – Lębork sections and two so-called agglomeration tracks on the Rumia – Wejherowo section as an extension of railway line no. 250. The work will also include the reconstruction of the traction network, tracks and engineering structures on a section of 55 km, which will result in more efficient train travel. The level of safety at the junction of roads and tracks will increase due to replacing rail-road crossings with grade-separated intersections.
After completing all works on the Gdynia – Słupsk section and obtaining the required permits, the travel time between the cities will be shortened by about 15 minutes. Passenger trains will run at speeds of 160 km/h and freight trains, to 120 km/h, from currently 70 km/h. The project will allow the possibility of expanding the line to train speeds of up to 200 km/h, as part of the planned separate task covering the deployment of the ETCS/ERTMS.
PLN 3 billion (EUR 701 million) is the estimated value of the project which will be co-financed by the European Union under the 2021 -2027 European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate, Environment (FEnIKS) programme. The project would be completed by the end of 2029.
PKP PLK will create opportunities for regional and long-distance services in Świętokrzyskie and Lesser Poland voivodeships through the modernisation of Stalowa Wola – Tarnobrzeg – Sandomierz – Ocice – Padew line. The project also includes the modernisation of six stations and stops and the construction of other seven train stops. The platforms will be higher (76 cm) and adapted to the needs of all groups of passengers, including people with limited mobility, the elderly and carers with children in prams. Comfortable use of the railway will be ensured by shelters and benches installed on the platforms and passengers will benefit a modern passenger information system. Efficient and safe travel will be ensured by the reconstruction of the tracks together with the traction network and bridges, rail-road crossings and rail traffic control devices.
PLN 900 million (EUR 210 million) is the value of the contract which includes design and construction works and would be financed through the European Funds for Eastern Poland 2021 – 2027 programme. PKP PLK will sign the contract in the second quarter of 2025 with works expected to be completed in 2027.
Part of the rail infrastructure tenders is the construction of the Szczyrzyc – Tymbark rail carried out under the Podłęże – Piekiełko railway project. The line will connect the line no. 622 with the modernised line 104 which connects Chabówka and Nowy Sącz. The route will be used by trains travelling from Kraków towards Limanowa and Nowy Sącz. The 8-km section of tracks will be adapted, like the entire Podłęże – Piekiełko line, to a speed of 160 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for freight trains. As the line will cross through foothill areas, the best variant of the design includes the construction of two tunnells totalling 4.8 km, bridges and railway viaducts. The project will also include the construction of a traction network and a digital train traffic control system adapted to the latest European standards.
Szczyrzyc station will be redesigned, and Stróża stop will be built near Dobra, in the middle of the section under construction. The stop will be equipped with shelters, benches, information boards and bicycle racks and will be adapted to passengers with reduced mobility for which ramp and guide paths will be created. PLN 2 billion (EUR 467 million) is the value of the project, which will be financed from budget funds.
The Szczyrzyc – Tymbark new section is the first stage of the construction of a new railway line as part of the Podłęże – Piekiełko project, the largest railway investment carried out in southern Poland. Currently, advanced construction works are underway on three other sections of the modernised Chabówka – Nowy Sącz line. Contractors are working on the sections Limanowa – Klęczany, Klęczany – Nowy Sącz siding and Chabówka – Rabka Zaryte. The modernisation of the first sections of this route will be completed next year, and by 2030 a new railway line will be built, which will connect Krakow with Podhale and the Sądecczyzna region. The fastest trains will travel along the Krakow – Nowy Sącz route in about 60 minutes. On the other hand, the journey from the capital of Małopolska to Zakopane will take about 90 minutes.
“We announced a tender for one of the sections of the famous Podłęże – Piekiełko project which will shorten the train journey from Krakow to Zakopane and Nowy Sącz. This year we will announce tenders for further sections, including in the vicinity of Gdów. We have secured the money, we are starting to take action. In addition, we announced two tenders for multi-billion tasks in Pomerania and Podkarpacie. We are developing the Polish railway,” Dariusz Klimczak, the Minister of Infrastructure said.
The three rail infrastructure tenders “are tasks that will expand the possibilities of travelling by rail – both long-distance and regional. We focus on investments that will bring tangible effects for passengers and carriers. We are focused on results, and the announced tenders show the strength and good condition of the company,” Piotr Wyborski, the President of the Management Board of PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe said.
Share on:
