Polish infrastructure manager PKP PLK has put out tenders totalling 1,4 billion euros. Its plans include a capacity upgrade along one of the country’s busiest rail lines, as well as a completely new line to be built in southern Poland.
In total, PKP PLK put out tenders for three projects. Of particular interest to the rail freight sector is an upgrade in the Gdańsk area: Poland plans to build a double track between the towns of Rumia and Lębork. It is one of the busiest rail lines in the country, explains Michał Litwin, head of the Polish Federation of Independent Rail Operators.
PKP PLK likewise says that more trains will be able to run on the line thanks to the double track on the section. “The works will also include the reconstruction of the traction network, tracks and engineering structures on a section of 55 km,” the infrastructure manager adds. Freight trains will see their maximum speeds boosted to 120 kilometres per hour instead of the current 70 kilometres per hour.
A whole new line in southern Poland
Alongside the upgrade in the Gdańsk area, a brand new line will be built between Podłęże and Piekiełko in southern Poland. The line will be suitable for freight traffic, PKP PLK explained to RailFreight.com. The infrastructure manager stressed that the new line will significantly shorten travelling times on various routes in the region.
Litwin explains that such a new line may bring another improvement to the table, as it could cancel out the necessity to split trainsets when travelling between Nowy Sącz and Grybów due to the mountainous terrain. However, PKP PLK could not confirm that the new line would enable longer trains to travel between the towns.