One of Europe’s largest railway projects is entering a new stage. PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PKP PLK) signed a contract with the contractor today for works on the section Białystok-Ełk. For more than PLN 4 billion net, nearly 95 km of a modern railway line will be built, which in the future will enable fast and convenient travel between Poland and the Baltic states. The investment project is being carried out with support from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

A double-track railway line designed for speeds of up to 200 km/h, 8 modern stations and 10 stops, and 32 grade-separated crossings – this is what the railway route Białystok-Ełk is due to look like as early as 2029. Today, at the Białystok railway station, PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. signed a contract with a consortium of companies that will carry out the project.

This contract is a success. After months of procedures, we are finally entering the execution stage of one of the largest railway projects in our country. The next section of the Rail Baltica international route means modern infrastructure and an efficient, high-performance railway system in this part of the country, and, in the long term, fast journeys to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – said Piotr Malepszak, Undersecretary of the State in the Ministry of Infrastructure.

This contract has been awaited by the railway workers and by the rail sector, and the situation around it was closely monitored by journalists and experts. It is all the more reason to be pleased that today, in Białystok, we are finally taking action. This is a unique project for many reasons: its budget, its scope and its international significance. Also important is the fact that we are entrusting the work to contractors who do not come from any “third countries” – said Piotr Wyborski, CEO at PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A.

The signing of the contract marks the beginning of intensive work on this strategically important investment for Poland. As a consortium, we combine the potential and experience of strong domestic partners. We are ready to build the route which is of crucial importance for the economy, logistics and security of the entire region – said Marita Szustak, President of the Management Board at Track Tec Construction.

More Rail Baltica

The modernization project now underway will ensure fast and comfortable travel – the travel time between Białystok and Ełk is planned to reach 55 minutes. Passengers will board trains from platforms that are higher than before and adapted to the needs of people with limited mobility. Modernization will come to the stations in Białystok Starosielce, Dobrzyniewo Duże (currently a stop), Knyszyn, Mońki, Osowiec and Grajewo. The project will also improve daily commuting conditions in the region – the following stops will be modernized: Pogorzałki (now Borsukówka), Zastocze, Goniądz, Ruda, Prostki (now a station) and Lipińskie Małe. For the convenience of travellers and to improve accessibility, the locations of some stops will change or new ones will be built: Białystok Bacieczki, Fasty, Dziękonie (now Czechowizna) and Ciemnoszyje.

The modernization will significantly improve train traffic conditions compared to the present – a second track will be added along the entire length of the line and modern, computerized rail traffic control systems will ensure the smooth and safe operation of trains. Stations will be built in Podlask and Lipińskie Małe, providing additional opportunities for trains to cross (pass), which will positively impact the line’s capacity. Also, freight transport conditions will improve – the new line and the renovated stations will allow trains to travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h and with a length of 750 m. Level rail-road crossings will be replaced by grade-separated, collision-free crossings – tunnels and overpasses. The erection of 20 road overpasses, 12 railway overpasses and 12 underpasses has been planned. Once all work is completed and the ETCS system is launched, trains will be able to travel at speeds of 200 km/h along most of the route.

The value of the contract signed today amounts to PLN 4.084 billion net (PLN 5.023 billion gross). The contract will be executed by the consortium of companies comprising: Track Tec Construction Sp. z o.o. (consortium leader), INTOP Spółka Akcyjna, INTOP INFRASTRUKTURA Spółka Akcyjna., UNIBEP Spółka Akcyjna, Pomorskie Przedsiębiorstwo Mechaniczno-Torowe Sp. z o.o. The work is scheduled to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2029.

The investment is being carried out as part of the following projects:

• “Work on the E 75 (Rail Baltica) railway line on the Białystok–Knyszyn section”
• “Work on the E 75 (Rail Baltica) railway line on the Osowiec–Ełk section”,
• “Work on the E 75 (Rail Baltica) railway line on the Knyszyn–Osowiec section”,

co-financed by the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).