The project entails the modernisation and electrification of the 46.1 km railway line 182 between Tarnowskie Góry and Zawiercie in Poland’s Silesia region, and of two connecting lines: the 1.3 km line 705 in Zawiercie and the 1.1 km Miasteczko Śląskie-Gosek line. This will bring them into conformity with EU railway interoperability requirements.
- 28 October 2019
Other elements of the project involve construction of a station at Pyrzowice International Airport, which serves the region’s capital Katowice, and of three new stops: Miasteczko Śląskie Centrum, Miasteczko Śląskie Łubne and Zawiercie Kądzielów.
Furthermore, four stations – Tarnowskie Góry, Siewierz, Poręba and Zawiercie – are to be rebuilt, three platforms are to be modernised and a further eight built from scratch, while a passing area without a stop is to be set up at Miasteczko Śląskie Żyglin.
Viaducts, bridges and underpasses
Two railway viaducts, one road flyover and five railway bridges are to be restored; two viaducts are to be built; and one underpass is to be modernised and a further two built. An additional track is to be laid on line 182 between Pyrzowice airport and Mierzewice Zawierciańskie.
A total of 31 level crossings are to be upgraded and six will be closed. Around 3.7 km of road is to be built alongside line 182. Further work includes making platforms accessible for persons with reduced mobility. Overhead lines, supply lines and power substations will be installed for the purpose of electrification. The railway traffic control system will be upgraded to facilitate introduction of European Rail Traffic Management System infrastructure.
The work also comprises preparatory work, including obtaining the necessary administrative decisions, and supervision, information and promotional activities.
Meeting interoperability requirements
A single-track line adapted for speeds of 80 km/h, line 182 is currently not electrified between km 4.8 and km 44.3. The section between Tarnowskie Góry and Siewierz – which covers most of the line – is disused and partially dismantled. The 15 km stretch between Siewierz and Zawiercie only handles infrequent freight services from a local mining plant at speeds of 20 km/h. Line 705 is a single-track line from km 0 to km 0.061 and km 1.1 to km 1.3 with a design speed of 40 km/h. Where it has a second track, it is closed.
The project will increase the maximum speeds for passenger trains on the Tarnowskie Góry-Zawiercie line, line 705 and the Miasteczko Śląskie-Gosek line to 140 km/h, 80 km/h and 40 km/h respectively. The respective maximum speeds for goods trains will be 80 km/h and 40 km/h. Maximum loads for all three lines will be 22.5 tonnes per axle.
The main objectives are to restore traffic on the Tarnowskie Góry-Zawiercie line to increase the availability and improve the quality of rail transport in northern Silesia and create safe and reliable links between urban agglomerations and the airport at Pyrzowice. The project aims to improve safety at level crossings and reduce the negative environmental impact of transport by encouraging a modal shift from road to rail.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Revitalisation and reconstruction of the partially inactive railway line No. 182 Tarnowskie Góry-Zawiercie” is EUR 173 701 534, with the EU’s Cohesion Fund contributing EUR 117 375 389 through the “Infrastructure and Environment” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “The promotion of sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures”.