An important railway investment is under way: the revitalization of line no. 283 on the Zebrzydowa–Żagań section. The project aims to restore this railway route to service and improve its technical condition.
The work is being carried out under a “design and build” contract, which means that the contractor first prepares the design documentation and then carries out the construction work.
Who is carrying out the project?
The public procurement procedure was conducted by PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. – Centrum Realizacji Inwestycji Region Śląski, based in Wrocław.
The contract for carrying out the investment was signed with a consortium of companies:
- Infra SILESIA S.A. from Rybnik
- Przedsiębiorstwo Inżynierii Budowlanej KOPACKI Sp. z o.o. from Poznań
The project has been divided into four stages:
- Design documentation – 29 months from the signing of the contract
- Opening the Osiecznica Kliczków–Żagań section for service – 12 months after completion of stage 1
- Opening the Zebrzydowa–Osiecznica Kliczków section for service – 9 months after completion of stage 2
- Inspections and final formalities – 4 months after completion of stage 3
All the work was supposed to be completed within 54 months of signing the contract, meaning no earlier than 2026. 2027 is currently being mentioned due to delays. The work is carried out every day from Monday to Saturday, between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., taking weather and environmental conditions into account.
In October 2024, an extensive video recording was published showing the progress of the work and the behind-the-scenes aspects of the investment.
🚉 Scope of the investment
Intensive revitalization is under way on railway line no. 283 along the approximately 44.5-kilometre Zebrzydowa–Żagań section. The line runs through two voivodeships: Lower Silesian and Lubusz, and the work includes comprehensive modernization of the tracks, subgrade, railway–road crossings, engineering structures, power infrastructure, railway traffic control systems (SRK) and telecommunications.
🛤️ State of implementation (2024)
As of the date of the recording (October 2024):
- The work is focused mainly on Żagań station, as well as in the areas of Świętoszów, Ławszowa, Luboszów and Osiecznica.
- Old tracks and turnouts are being dismantled, and some of the new tracks have already been laid, including in the vicinity of Żagań station.
- Osiecznica Kliczków station has not been taken out of service because it handles freight transport (quartz sand).
- Several technical facilities for the contractor have been established in different locations.
- The first effects of the track revitalization can be seen, such as freight trains passing through.
🚄 Passenger traffic: return after more than 30 years
The most important information for residents of the region is that, thanks to the revitalization:
- Passenger train services, which disappeared from this line in 1992, will be restored.
- The line will be adapted for speeds of up to 80 km/h and an axle load of up to 221 kN, enabling efficient and safe operation of both freight and passenger trains.
🪖 Military importance
The investment is also of strategic importance for the country’s defense:
It will enable the efficient transport of soldiers and military equipment, including those of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade from Świętoszów and allied forces.
Ramps, sidings and traffic control systems necessary for handling military loading and unloading operations will be reconstructed.
🧱 Heritage and monuments
For part of the section (Żagań–Świętoszów), proceedings are under way to enter a fragment of the line into the register of monuments. Only selected elements will be modernized, while some structures—such as the dilapidated station building in Świętoszów—are not included in the reconstruction plan, despite their historical value.