|
PLN 1.5 bn allocated to the modernisation of the Gdynia-Warsaw railway line12.01.2006 Poland's accession to the European Union opens up new perspectives to the Port of Gdansk. The EU funds obtained under the sustainable transport development programme in countries of the enlarged European Union provide the Port of Gdansk with the opportunity to play the role of a key multi-modal hub in the North-South Transport Corridor No 6. Three projects are currently under way that relate to the modernisation and development of the inner port, and that have received financial support under the Sectoral Operational Programme - Transport (the entrance widening project included, the amount runs at EUR 31.5 mn). At present, the European Union has decided to allocate PLN 1.5 bn to the modernisation of the railway line from Gdynia to Warsaw, that had been shortlisted by the European Parliament among the priority investment projects earmarked for implementation in the years 2007-2013, including the railway line Gdansk-Warsaw-Brno/Zylina and the motorway Gdansk-Katowice-Brno/Zylina-Vienna. The modernisation will comprise the replacement of all tracks with new ones of enhanced durability and pressure resistance, ensuring higher velocity of up to approximately 160 kph. However, it will be possible to reach a speed of as much as 200 kph. This entails that a journey to Warsaw will take 2 hours. Also replaced will be all, so-called, arches, overhead railway wires and power sub-stations as well as railway bridges and flyovers. The entire route will be equipped with an automatic rail traffic control system. The investment project will be launched in 2007 and is scheduled for completion in 2013 at the latest. The cost of the investment project has been estimated at PLN 1.8 bn, thus it is necessary that the EU contribution be supplemented with an extra PLN 300 mn. Starting the modernisation of the Gdynia-Warsaw railway line (work on this stretch will coincide in time with upgrades on the Warsaw-Katowice and Katowice-Bratislava-Vienna sections, which, in aggregate, covers the total length of the North-South Transport Corridor) is a very beneficial signal to the Port of Gdansk. Discussions focusing on the port's land access infrastructure have on many occasions highlighted the significance of a modern railway line. Its importance can be, without hesitation, compared to that ascribed to the A-1 motorway. These are the routes that carry goods from and to the port and the efficiency of this transportation system frequently determines the level of port attractiveness. In view of the construction of new terminals in the port and plans concerning further expansion - the modernisation of the north-south railway line proves to be a development of tremendous consequence for the Polish economy. |
|