The final phase of a two-phase project to rebuild the railway station at Olomouc in the Czech Republic’s Central Moravia region has been implemented with support from European Union funding. Following identification of areas where improvements were needed, the project has improved the layout of the platforms and made the station more accessible for travellers with reduced mobility, among other upgrades.
- 28 July 2017
Under the project, work has covered the complex renovation and reconstruction of buildings and infrastructure at Olomouc station. This includes redevelopment of the track system, including passing loops whereby trains travelling in opposite directions can pass one another.
Accessibility for people with reduced mobility has been enhanced by renovating existing underpasses and creating new ones, and installing stairways and lifts to platforms. Six platforms have been reconstructed and six bridges built.
Infrastructure work also includes replacement of wires and feeders, and installing telecommunications equipment. This has made it possible to fit a passenger information system, remote control technology and power supply units. A new railway substructure should improve water drainage in and around the station.
An important regional transport hub
The capital and largest city of the Central Moravia region, with a population of around 100 000, the railway station in Olomouc is an important regional transport hub. It is located within the Baltic-Adriatic corridor in the core Trans-European Transport Network, which promotes compatibility and interoperability of high-speed rail systems across the EU Member States.
In the second phase of the project, around EUR 35.8 million was spent on the work, of which just under EUR 17.2 million came from EU co-financing. Corresponding figures for the first phase were approximately EUR 63.5 million and EUR 51.9 million respectively. The work was coordinated by the Czech Republic’s publicly-run Railway Infrastructure Administration.
Upgrading to provide a modern public service
The project’s main objective was to bring the infrastructure and facilities at Olomouc station up to the same standards as those at other stations of similar importance and to strengthen connections within the railway network. In achieving this, the work has helped to improve quality and safety on the railways and shorten journey times for passengers, as well as reducing the external impact of rail transport on the environment, and cutting operating costs.
By helping the railways to provide a modern public service, the project has contributed to enhancing their competitiveness. This should benefit the residents of the Central Moravia region, and have a positive impact on its general economic and social development.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Reconstruction of Olomouc railway station, II. phase” is EUR 35 781 938, with the EU’s Cohesion Fund contributing EUR 17 198 538 through the “Transport” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period.