The construction of the second track on the Poznań–Piła railway section is moving forward, as PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PKP PLK) has signed an agreement to implement a PLN 100 million (EUR 23.4 million) investment, financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (KPO), which supports 41 railway projects.
“Looking at the railway network, the strategic importance of the Poznań–Piła route may not be immediately apparent. However, we recognise the need to construct a second track along the entire section where it is currently missing. We are now taking the first step by eliminating the bottleneck in Oborniki through the construction of a second track, a second bridge span, and a passing loop in Parkowo,” said the Minister for Development and Technology, Krzysztof Paszyk.
Porr will be responsible for the construction under a contract which stipulates that works will begin at the end of June and are expected to be completed in the second half of next year.
The Polish rail infrastructure manager will enhance capacity on the Poznań–Piła line (Line No. 354) along a section more than 2 km in length, between Oborniki Wielkopolskie Most station and Oborniki Wielkopolskie station. This section will be electrified and will include the expansion of the existing railway crossing over the River Warta, which will gain a second, additional span. In doing so, PKP PLK will extend the double-track portion of the Poznań–Piła railway.
The construction of a new passing loop near Parkowo will also improve line capacity by allowing more trains to pass through the section.
Under the project, PKP PLK will improve comfort and connectivity for passengers by constructing an additional high platform at the Oborniki Wielkopolskie stop. The platform will be equipped with shelters, bright lighting, benches, and clearly visible timetable displays. It will also be adapted for passengers with reduced mobility, including the installation of guiding paths for visually impaired individuals. Convenient access to trains and improved communication between platforms will be ensured through a new underground passage, which will be fitted with lifts.
Following the double-tracking of the Poznań–Piła railway on this key section of the route, PKP PLK will increase the length of the double-track segment by nearly 10%, resulting in more efficient and convenient regional and long-distance journeys.
The Polish government is currently analysing the potential for further work to construct second tracks along the entire line. These plans will be defined after 2030, once funding sources under the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) are confirmed.
“The need to construct a second track and to cross the Warta River, along with additional infrastructure along the remaining section of the route, became particularly apparent during the major modernisation and operation of the Poznań–Piła railway line. At the time, however, this could not be implemented due to insufficient funding,” said Wojciech Jankowiak, Deputy Marshal of the Greater Poland Voivodeship.
The construction of an additional track in Oborniki will complement the modernisation of the Poznań–Piła line, which was completed in 2019. That project also included the construction of four new stops and the reconstruction of 34 existing platforms in 22 towns. The works, valued at PLN 500 million (EUR 117 million), were co-financed by the European Union under the Regional Operational Programme for the Wielkopolska Province.
KPO funds for rail projects
PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PKP PLK) is the largest beneficiary of funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (KPO), which supports 41 railway projects with a total value of PLN 11 billion (EUR 2.6 billion). The company has signed over 120 contracts, with a combined value exceeding PLN 8 billion (approximately EUR 1.9 billion).
Through investments under the KPO, the infrastructure manager aims to rebuild and modernise the railway network, increase line capacity, improve train punctuality, and enhance passenger safety. The programme also includes upgrades to rail traffic management systems and passenger information systems at stations and stops, as well as adapting infrastructure to better serve passengers with reduced mobility.
As part of the KPO programme, PKP PLK has already completed 40 tasks out of a total of 160 specific actions planned across Poland, worth PLN 320 million (EUR 74.7 million). These include:
- Modernisation of 184 km of railway lines
- Safety improvements at 152 level crossings
- Elimination of two bottlenecks
- Installation of remote control systems in 16 locations
- Deployment of dynamic passenger information systems in 9 locations
Currently, 41 projects across five key areas are ongoing, including:
- 21 linear infrastructure projects
- 5 digitalisation initiatives
- 7 projects aimed at improving level crossing safety
- 4 focused on eliminating bottlenecks
- 4 involving the installation of dynamic passenger information systems
As part of the nationwide railway modernisation and reconstruction effort, PKP PLK has signed 24 contracts covering over 546 km of railway lines, valued at more than PLN 6.5 billion (EUR 1.5 billion). These include:
- 9 contracts for the revitalisation of 222 km of tracks
- 15 contracts for the modernisation of 323 km
Notable example are the Ełk–Korsze railway, which is currently being rebuilt and electrified and the construction of a 4-km tunnel on the Chabówka–Nowy Sącz line, the longest railway tunnel in Poland.
Additionally, PLK is implementing four digitalisation projects involving the installation of visual and audio systems in 114 locations, providing real-time information on train arrivals, departures, and route changes.
Under the digitalisation programme, 19 agreements have been signed for work in 59 locations, including the installation of remote control systems that will improve train route management and boost safety, punctuality, and overall operational efficiency.
Seven projects are currently being implemented to modernise level crossings in 374 locations, while four other projects aim to eliminate bottlenecks in 12 locations, improving rail traffic flow and reducing the risk of delays.
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