Railway lines that make up the Warsaw railway junction will be modernised and the city’s main stations rebuilt to ensure safer, more efficient rail transport and interoperability with the EU’s rail infrastructure.
- 23 January 2024
The junction comprises the Warszawa Zachodnia (Warsaw West), Warszawa Wschodnia (Warsaw East), Warszawa Główna (Warsaw Main), and Warszawa Gdańska stations and is an important link in Poland’s and Europe’s railway infrastructure. Of the 20.449 km of track covered by the project, 12.275 km are part of the TEN-T network.
Limited capacity
During peak hours, there are not enough trains for commuters on the vital cross-city line between the East and West stations. In addition, there is not enough separation between long-distance and intra-city rail traffic at both of these stations. The stations also do not have enough platforms.
Inadequate rail infrastructure results in low trains speeds, high accident risk, poor ability to respond to traffic disruptions – which would help reduce delays – and no space for shunting trains. The area of the former Warsaw Main station is also not being used to its full potential.
Extensive infrastructure improvements
The work to be done encompasses the railway tracks, overhead lines, telecommunications equipment, water and sewage infrastructure in and on sections between Warsaw West, and Main stations. The Gdańska station will be upgraded to cater to a greater number of travellers.
The Warsaw Main and West stations will be reconstructed, two flyovers will be built, and two reconstructed, four pedestrian bridges will be built and one pedestrian subway reconstructed. This will enable passenger trains to travel at speeds up to 160 km/h on certain sections and enable implementation of a European Rail Traffic Management System in future.
What it will achieve
The project will improve the frequency and capacity of the train services, as well as their safety and comfort and adapt the infrastructure to people with reduced mobility. Modification of tracks at the Warsaw West station will ensure separation of long distance and suburban traffic. This will improve the capacity and safety of the suburban and long-distance lines, allowing for a greater frequency of trains. The passenger service at the Warsaw Gdańska station will also be improved.
The new rail infrastructure will better meet the needs of transport operators and contractors, ensure lower operating and maintenance costs and environmental impact.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Works on the Warsaw cross-city line between Warsaw East and Warsaw West, stage I” is EUR 628 009 326, with the EU’s Cohesion Fund contributing EUR 425 893 362 through the “Infrastructure and Environment” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “V. Development of rail transport in Poland”.