The PLN 23 million project will enable twice as fast travel for more trains and the transport of heavier freight. The bridge will significantly improve the quality of east–west connections.

The construction of the bridge over the Lusatian Neisse, carried out by PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A., is proceeding in parallel with the expansion and electrification of the Knappenrode–Horka–state border line by DB Netz AG, the German railway infrastructure manager. Both projects are progressing thanks to the successful cooperation of railway infrastructure managers within the Polish-German Infrastructure Group.

– The bridge project will significantly improve the efficiency and safety of transport at the junction of the Polish and German railway networks and improve connections along the east–west axis. The new bridge, together with the earlier modernisation of the E 30 Opole–Wrocław–Węgliniec–state border line and the electrification of the line on the German side, will create new opportunities for rail transport between the neighbouring countries. This means more efficient freight transport for rail freight carriers and shorter, more comfortable journeys for passengers – says Ireneusz Kluczyk, plenipotentiary of the PKP PLK S.A. Management Board for the organisation of timetable and operations processes and chairman of the Polish-German Infrastructure Group.

The modernisation of the international route is proceeding simultaneously on the Polish and German sides. – The Polish project is directly connected with our modernisation and electrification of the Knappenrode–Horka–state border section. Once the work is complete, freight from seaports will be transported along this line to southern regions of Poland. More comfortable travel and efficient freight transport are a success made possible by the good cooperation between PKP PLK and DB Netz – says Michael Wuth, director of sales and timetables at the South-Eastern Regional Branch of DB Netz AG.

Faster, more efficient and quieter travel over the new bridge

The bridge over the Lusatian Neisse will replace the old crossing. Since February, demolition work has already been carried out: the track and worn-out bridge structures have been removed. The contractor also demolished the old supports and unnecessary elements of the reinforced-concrete abutments. This was possible after obtaining the necessary Polish and German documents, including those related to environmental protection and those allowing the work to begin.

On 3 July 2015, a foundation charter was embedded in the bridge foundations, marking the start of construction of the new railway crossing over the Lusatian Neisse. The meeting was attended by representatives of Polish and German local authorities, representatives of the Polish-German Infrastructure Group, the railway infrastructure managers PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. and DB Netz AG, and the contractor.

The bridge will be nearly 160 metres long – 23 metres more than the previous crossing. The structure will allow trains to run on two tracks at more than twice the previous 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 freight.

The tracks on the new bridge, like the modernised E 30 line, will be electrified. Modern automation 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 passages, while the installation of safeguards will limit water pollution from water discharged from the bridge.

The cost of the project, “Modernisation of railway line E 30, stage II, Bielawa Dolna–Horka section: construction of a bridge over the Lusatian Neisse and electrification,” is approximately PLN 23 million, of which nearly PLN 17.5 million comes from the Cohesion Fund under the Infrastructure and Environment Operational Programme.

Mirosław Siemieniec, press spokesperson for PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A.