September 2009
A Halcrow-led consortium has won the first detailed high speed railway feasibility study contract in Poland.
The study will look at modernising the southern section of the E65 railway line connecting Warsaw and Cracow and Warsaw via Katowice to the state borders with the Czech Republic and Slovakia (see map).
The E65 railway line is part of the VI Pan European transport corridor connecting the Baltic Sea with the Adriatic Sea and the Balkans. In Poland it is the main North-South railway connection linking a number of the main cities. Modernisation and extension of the E65-South should allow the main trunk-line to reach the standard of high speed line that will increase the competitiveness of Polish railways against other means of transport. This is in line with EU policy supporting rail development as safe and environmentally friendly transport system.
The consortium, which includes Scott Wilson and Egis, will provide feasibility and conceptual study for almost 500 km of track and more than 40 train stations in a project worth over ₤10 million over 36 months.
Jarek Karpiejuk, regional director for Poland said: “This project creates an exciting opportunity and experience for our local team”.
Michael Jamieson, regional director said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Jarek Karpiejuk and his team in Poland. It builds on the success of our operations in Poland and lays the foundation for significant growth in our railway business”.