Improving the condition of a 19 km stretch of railway line in the east of the Czech Republic has helped to cut journey times and increase capacity. In the long term, passengers using the route between the Slovak border, Mosty u Jablunkova, and Bystřice nad Olší will also benefit from improved levels of safety.
- 09 September 2014
The project provided a complete overhaul of the track, including related buildings and equipment, in line with European standards. The revamp means the route can now cope with loads of 22.5 tonnes/axel and offers service providers a maximum line speed of 160 km/h, up from 95 km/h. Works to improve infrastructure also included a modernisation of telecommunications and signalling equipment, and the upgrade of traction lines.
Safety dividend
This project did not include installation of the automatic train protection system (ATP) and did not change the function or performance of the existing safety system. That means the national train interlocking system continues in service in compliance with technical requirements for rail interoperability. However, the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and the European Train Control System (ETCS) will be installed on the line between 2016 and 2017.
The project which was implemented in 2012 is good news for local and international travellers because it offers estimated time savings of EUR 2.78 million/year. The route forms part of the European Union’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Billions of Euros are being spent through the TEN-T programme to improve transport infrastructure around Europe so that that people and goods can move more easily in and between EU Member States.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Optimisation of the Slovak Republic state border - Mosty u Jablunkova – Bystřice nad Olší railway line” is EUR 307 185 051, of which the EU’s Cohesion Fund is contributing EUR 177 789 242 from the Operational Programme “Transport” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period under the priority “Modernisation of the TEN-T railway network”.