Support for Polish rail upgrade

The upgrading of 92.5km of an existing electrified railway line from Warsaw to Radom in Poland is being supported by a European Investment Bank (EIB) loan of €235 million to PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PLK).

The EIB said this was a continuation of its successful co-operation with PLK – including the current operation, the EIB has provided nine loans to PLK totalling €1.65 billion to finance railway modernisation projects across Poland.

A number of improvements will be introduced on this section, such as the construction of a second track between Warka and Radom, upgrading of the existing power supply and replacement of the signalling and telecommunications systems.

The modernised line will allow for the introduction of trains running at a maximum speed of 160km/h for passenger trains and 120km/h for freight trains. Additional environmental mitigation measures will be implemented – for example, noise barriers, better drainage, and animal. The safety of the line will also increase, as 50 level crossings will be improved.

These modernisation works are due to begin this year and are expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

Remigiusz Paszkiewicz, president of PLK, said, “The EIB loan is supporting our growing investment programme, which will raise up to PLN5.5 billion (€1.3 billion) this year and PLN9 billion €2.1 billion) in 2014.

“PLK uses funds from every available source to upgrade the condition of Polish rail tracks and improve the role of railways in the country’s transportation system. Our co-operation with the EIB also emphasises the standing of PLK as a reliable business partner.”