A key stretch of rail line E65 is being upgraded between the Polish cities of Warsaw and Gdynia to provide a more efficient service for passengers, while safeguarding the environment. The upgrade also brings strategic benefits to the region by improving rail passenger transport on one of the priority routes of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
- 27 May 2015
The project involves modernising a 53 km stretch of track on the Warsaw-Gdynia section of the E65 railway line, which is under the control of the Dzialdowo Local Control Centre (LCC). The line runs through the Mławski, Działdowski, and Nowomiejski districts.
The upgrade means passenger trains can travel up to 160 km/hour, while speeds for freight traffic are expected to reach a maximum of 120 km/hour. According to experts, this increase in speed should translate into approximately EUR 35.3 million in time savings for passengers in 2015 alone.
Busy work schedule
The upgrade involves laying track-bed, earthworks, and drainage systems, while traffic control systems are being installed along the tracks and in stations. Works also include the construction or refurbishment of 8 road bridges, 11 railway bridges, and 2 footbridges.
Various cutting edge technologies have been installed across the entire line, including: fibre-optic and copper lines for data transmission; remote-control digital transmission devices; communications facilities; information equipment for passengers on platforms; fire-alarm and anti-theft systems; and radio-communications equipment.
The project has also factored in environmental protection through plans to build or rebuild eight underground passages, while four overwater bridges are being reconstructed to act as animal crossings. In addition, noise barriers, deterrent devices, and a track and drainage system are foreseen.
This project is a key phase of an overall programme to upgrade the entire E65 railway line.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Modernisation of railway line E 65/C-E 65 on section Warsaw – Gdynia, area LCS Działdowo” is EUR 370 929 464, of which the EU’s Cohesion Fund is contributing EUR 205 319 297 from the Operational Programme “Infrastructure and Environment” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period. Work falls under the priority axis “Environment-friendly transport.”