photo: PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe/PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe and Budimex signed the contract for the design, construction and reconstruction works at Ełk station
PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe and Budimex signed the contract for the design, construction and reconstruction works at Ełk station, located on the future Rail Baltica line. The works are going to start in the next three months and should be finished by the end of 2023. The whole project will cost almost EUR 128 milion (PLN 587 milion). It is co-financed from the EU funds under the Connecting Europe Facility. The investment is a part of the project “Works on the E 75 line” on Rail Baltica. The ongoing construction works of the International Rail Baltica route in Poland are increasing the capacity of the railways for both freight carriers and travelers. Stations that will be reconstructed are the Ełk station, the Ełk Szyba Wschód stop and the Ełk Towarowy station, according to the contract.
“The investment plays an essential role on the development of modern transport in Poland, and on the improving the communication of Eastern European countries,” the Minister of Infrastructure Andrzej Adamczyk, said.
As for the station, all three platforms will be raised and widened to give passengers, mainly the ones with reduced mobility, better access to trains. There will be newly installed elevators on each platform, benches or new shelters. Orientation at the station will be facilitated by clear markings and sound system. “The result of the signed contract for the reconstruction of the Ełk station consists of better access to railways, increased attractiveness of train travel and improvement of the competitiveness of railways as the most environmentally friendly transport,” Ireneusz Merchel, the CEO of PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe.
The non-slip surface and bright lighting will ensure that the movement is safe. New passage under the tracks will replace the existing facilities and improve the communication. The new version of the repaired stations will offer longer, wider and higher platforms and provide safe access to the line from both sides. “The result of the signed contract for the reconstruction of the Ełk station consists of better access to railways, increased attractiveness of train travel and improvement of the competitiveness of railways as the most environmentally friendly transport,” Ireneusz Merchel, the CEO of PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe.
“I am glad to sign an important contract during the European Year of Railways. The works are part of the first stage of the modernisation of the Rail Baltica route, on the Białystok – Ełk section, located on the North Sea-Baltic core network corridor. The modernization of this important railway junction in north-eastern Poland will increase the possibilities and potential of cross-border transport,” Morten Jensen, the Head of Unit, at CINEA said.
At the Ełk Szyba Wschód stop the construction of two single – edge platforms, is planned. It will be 200 metres long and equipped with benches, handrails, shelters, passenger information system and voice information system. The stop will also be accessible for people with reduced mobility.
The Ełk Towarowy station will be able to accommodate trains of 740 metres. The new devices and systems provided at the local control center in Ełk will enable a higher level of railway safety. Servicing freight trains and the transport between Poland and Baltic countries will improve and the importance of eco-friendly railways will grow.