Poland’s infrastructure manager, PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe, is to receive a €268 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to improve a stretch of electrified railway between Katowice to Kraków.
The 58-kilometre route is to undergo a major upgrade, with ballast, sleepers, track, overhead catenary and power supply systems all to be replaced. Improved drainage and noise barriers will also be installed.
A number of stations will also be modernised to improve accessibility when work begins later this year.
The upgrade, which will be complete by the end of 2016, will allow line speeds to be increased to 160 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for freight trains.
To date, the EIB has issued 10 loans worth €1.9 billion to finance rail projects in the country.
