The bridge over the Lusatian Neisse will replace the old crossing. Construction began after the necessary Polish and German documents had been obtained, including those related to environmental protection. Since February, the worn-out structures have been dismantled. This was preceded by the removal of the track and preparation of a temporary construction crossing. After being removed, the bridge’s steel elements are cut up and taken away from the construction site. Dismantling will be completed in May.
The contractor will then begin removing the old supports and work on the reinforced-concrete abutments. The next stage will involve installing the piles necessary to build the foundations of the new bridge. The work will continue until the end of 2016.
The new crossing will be nearly 160 metres long, 23 metres more than the previous one. The structure will allow trains to run on two tracks at more than twice the speed: 120 km/h instead of 50 km/h. The investor will also increase the structure’s load-bearing capacity, meaning that trains will be able to carry heavier loads. The tracks on the new bridge, like the modernised E 30 line, will be electrified. Modern signalling, control and telecommunications equipment will ensure efficient and safe train traffic between the border stations of Węgliniec and Horka. Environmental protection has also been taken into account. The track construction will ensure quiet train travel, while the installation of water separators will contain pollution generated along the line.
The improved parameters of the new structure, the previously modernised E 30 line Opole – Wrocław – Legnica – Węgliniec – state border, and the electrification of the line on the German side will create new opportunities for rail transport between the neighbouring countries. Freight carriers will be able to offer more efficient transport of goods, while passenger operators will provide shorter, more comfortable journeys.
The cost of the project, “Modernisation of the E 30 railway line, stage II, Bielawa Dolna–Horka section: construction of a bridge over the Lusatian Neisse and electrification,” amounts to approximately
PLN 23 million, of which nearly PLN 17.5 million comes from the Cohesion Fund under the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment.
Mirosław Siemieniec, PKP PLK S.A./ii