PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe SA is completing a project to rebuild the tracks to the ports in Szczecin and Świnoujście, which is expected to increase the efficiency of the railway and the possibility of serving shipping. The Ministry of Infrastructure reports that the project, worth around PLN 1.5 billion, is co-financed by the EU’s CEF “Connecting Europe” instrument
The investment is expected to ensure the running of longer and heavier trains. The rebuilt tracks will carry 750-metre-long trains with a load of 221 kN per axle. This will enable the handling of more wagons for the transport of cargo, including containers. Freight trains will be handled faster and more efficiently, and port handling times will be shortened from several to even tens of minutes.
Most of the work has been completed at Szczecin Port Central station. The construction of new track layouts including junctions has been completed. The efficient and safe transport of goods to and from the port is ensured by modernised engineering facilities.
The construction of the new Central Control Room is in its final stage, to which the control of the five signalling districts will be transferred as part of centralising traffic control. A Maintenance and Diagnostics Centre will be located in the new Central Control Room. The centralisation of rail traffic control will improve the functionality of the station, increase the capacity of the railway infrastructure and the safety of rail traffic.
Most of the work was also carried out at Świnoujście station. The construction of new track layouts including junctions was completed and one engineering structure was rebuilt.
The projects at the ports of Szczecin and Świnoujście are important nationwide and internationally. “The investments increase the role of the railway as an efficient, safe and environmentally friendly transport of cargo and will bring tangible effects for the economy. PLK’s activities are in line with the idea of the European Green Deal”, states Ireneusz Merchel, President of the Management Board of PKP Polskie Linii Kolejowe SA.
Adrian Andrzejewski