Budimex has completed the modernisation of the ‎Czechowice-Dziedzice railway junction ‎

Budimex has completed the modernisation of the Czechowice-Dziedzice railway junction  The investor, PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe (Polish Railways), carried out a fault-free final acceptance of the Vistula Bridge - Czechowice-Dziedzice - Zabrzeg railway section.

As part of the contract, Budimex built or rebuilt, among other things, 23 engineering structures, including 8 viaducts and 4 bridges, and replaced approximately 47 km of track and 56 km of overhead line.  Three level crossings and platforms at Czechowice-Dziedzice, Goczałkowice-Zdrój and Zabrzeg stations were modernised.  As part of the PLN 1.5 billion contract, which lasted four years, a modern Local Control Centre (LCS) was built.  All works were carried out under active railway traffic.

- Modernisation of this junction, which is important for the entire region, will significantly increase the comfort of passengers travelling on the route from Katowice to Zebrzydowice, Cieszyn and the Beskidy Mountains.  Improving the capacity will also increase the competitiveness of freight transport with a low-emission means, such as rail, says Maciej Olek, Member of the Management Board, Budimex SA.

Thanks to the work carried out by Budimex on the modernisation of the railway network - 47 km of track and 56 km of catenary - passenger trains will be able to reach speeds of up to 160 km/h, and freight trains up to 120 km/h.  The general contractor built four main tracks, four auxiliary tracks and eight sidings, while the replacement of 119 switches ensures the smooth passage of trains through the stations and stops along the section.  To make them safe Budimex carried out the reconstruction of 23 engineering structures: bridges, viaducts, culverts, under-track crossings and level crossings.  Two new bridge structures over the Vistula River are a particular highlight of this project, adds Maciej Olek.

As part of the contact, Budimex carried out, among other things, the modernisation of the station in Czechowice-Dziedzice.  It gained new covered platforms with facilities such as benches, clear signage and lighting, while retaining the restored historic station roof moved to the end of one of the platforms.  A new subway and lifts allow easy and safe access to the platform.  The aesthetics of the place have also been taken care of.  The passageways under the tracks have been covered with murals referring to the history of the railway and the city.   

- We are proud to have completed such a large, multi-faceted project on time.  We managed to meet the deadline despite the fact that during the implementation of the project we had to unexpectedly struggle with inconveniences caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as those resulting from the outbreak of an armed conflict across our eastern border, i.e. enormous difficulties on the labour market- says Wojciech Głuc, Contract Director, Budimex.

A particular challenge of the warks was the water.  We reinforced the entire area under the adjacent routes and the railway junction area together with flood protection - to this end, we built 670 km of piles to reinforce the area and prevent subsidence, adds Wojciech Głuc.

Budimex is a general contractor of many award-winning railway contracts.  Recently, the Company signed a contract for the construction of the Rail Baltica railway line in Latvia.  Under the €3.7 billion contract, the winning consortium ERB RAIL, comprising France's Eiffage Génie Civil, Poland's Budimex and Italy's Rizzani de Eccher, will build the 230-kilometre high-speed railway.  The aim of the task is to integrate the Baltic countries into the European rail network by creating a connection between Tallinn and Warsaw.  Works will begin in 2024 and will take eight years to complete.

Another major project being carried out by Budimex is the modernisation of the Warszawa Zachodnia station - currently one of the largest construction sites not only in the capital, but also in Poland.  After completion, Warszawa Zachodnia will be the largest railway station in the country, through which approximately 1,200 agglomeration, regional, long-distance national and international trains will pass daily.  PKP PLK's largest investment worth almost PLN 2 billion is almost complete.  In addition, Budimex is currently carrying out rail investments for PKP PLK at the Port of Gdynia, at Ełk station, and on the lines:  Nowy Targ - Rabka and Pszczyna-Żory.