Brussels, 24/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 19 September, the European Investment Bank (EIB) granted €235 million to PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. (PLK) for the upgrading of 92.5 km of an existing electrified railway line from Warsaw to Radom. Including the current operation, the Bank has provided nine loans to PLK totalling €1.65 billion to finance railway modernisation projects across Poland.
Thanks to the EIB loan, a number of improvements will be introduced on this section, such as the construction of a second track between Warka and Radom, upgrading of the existing power supply and replacement of the signalling and telecommunications systems. The modernised line will allow for the introduction of trains running at a maximum speed of 160 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for freight trains. Furthermore, additional environmental mitigation measures will be implemented (e.g. noise barriers, better drainage, animal crossings), which will reduce existing negative impacts during operation. The safety of the line will also increase, as 50 level crossings will be improved. These modernisation works are due to begin this year and are expected to be completed by the end of 2017. (OL/trans.fl)