Polish State Railways, PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PLK), has signed three contracts worth PLN 3 billion (EUR 707.3 million) for the modernisation of key railway lines in the south of the country. The projects are co-financed by the European funds.
The rail lines are located in Podkarpacie and Małopolska (Lesser Poland) voivodeships with these projects to tackle transport exclusion and developing fast and safe rail travel in Poland.
Two contracts totalling almost PLN 2 billion (EUR 471.5 million) have been signed for the modernisation of rail lines in Podkarpacie Voivodeship.
One of the contracts has been signed with Porr for the modernisation of Line 108 between Jasło and Nowy Zagórz. The contract marks the beginning of the most crucial phase of a major development project worth over PLN 1 billion (EUR 235.8 million). under the project, five new stations will be built, and Moderówka new station will be constructed as part of the new connecting line between Jedlicze and Szebnie.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2029. Following its completion, the project will provide better travel conditions and improved transport options for passengers and residents in the areas around Krosno, Sanok, and Nowy Zagórz. Once the entire project is completed, journey times will be reduced by approximately 25 minutes. The line will be adapted for passenger trains running at speeds of up to 120 km/h and freight trains at up to 110 km/h.
The project will help reduce transport exclusion and support balanced economic and social development. The investment is financed under the European Funds for Eastern Poland 2021–2027 programme.
“We’re proving that the railway in Poland is a driving force for economic and social development. We’re allocating further billions of zlotys to ensure access to efficient and fast transport for thousands of residents in towns across Małopolska and Podkarpacie,” Piotr Malepszak, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, said.
A second contract, worth PLN 900 million (EUR 212 million), was signed with Swietelsky Rail Polska that will be responsible for the modernisation of Stalowa Wola – Tarnobrzeg – Sandomierz – Ocice – Padew line. The project is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2028. The project covers a route located on the border of the Podkarpackie and Świętokrzyskie voivodeships totalling 66 km across three railway lines (No. 25, 74, and 78). All lines will be adapted for speeds of up to 120 km/h, instead of 60 km/h currently.
The project also covers the modernisation of the existing stations and stops and is financed through the European Funds for Eastern Poland programme.
One contract in Lesser Poland
The third contract, worth PLN 567 million (EUR 134 million) involves the modernisation of a section of rail Line No. 104 in Małopolska. The contract was awarded to a consortium of Porr and Trakcja System that will be responsible for the modernisation of the section from Rabka Zaryte through Mszana Dolna to Fornale (Kasina Wielka). Work is expected to be completed in two years.
Alongside track replacement, electrification, and the construction of 66 new engineering structures, the project also includes the modernisation of one station and two stops.
This project is part of the multi-billion-zloty “Podłęże–Piekiełko” project, which is set to revolutionise transport in southern Małopolska by 2030. With the creation of a new railway connection between Kraków, Zakopane, and Nowy Sącz, PLK will help drive economic and social development in the regions of Sądecczyzna and Limanowszczyzna.
Funded by the national budget and delivered by PLK, the project will result in the construction of a modern railway line adapted for speeds of up to 120 km/h. Previously, trains on this route operated only occasionally and at speeds of around 30 km/h. The project will also boost the tourism appeal of local towns and improve the quality of daily travel. After the project will be completed, trains will travel one hour from Kraków to Nowy Sącz and to Zakopane in 90 minutes.
“A coherent rail system means investing not only in regional capitals but also in smaller towns, where we want to bring passengers quickly, comfortably, and in an environmentally friendly way. Thanks to the agreements signed for the modernisation of these key railway lines, more local communities will be connected to the transport network,” Marcin Mochocki, Member of the Management Board of PLK, said.
Share on:
