More than 80 million EUR from European funds for modernization of Szajol – Debrecen railway line in Hungary

More than EUR 80 million from the Cohesion Fund have been approved for investment to improve rail connections for passenger and freight transport in the Northern Great Plains region of Hungary.

Elisa Ferreira, the Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, said: “We launch another important major project to concretely improve the life of citizens on the ground. The modernisation of the railway lines in Hungary will ensure a better train connection for citizens and businesses in the region, but also for the freight transport across Europe in line with the Green Deal priorities of the Commission.”

On the line from Szajol to Debrecen, the project is being implemented in two phases in total, the first of which was completed back in 2015 and included the reconstruction of the Szajol-Püspökladány section. The second phase includes the Ebes - Debrecen section, the Debrecen station included.

Thales Austria and Thales Rail Signalling Solutions consortium is currently installing five electronic station and interlocking devices and an ETCS Level 2 on the 100 km section between Szajol and Ebes. A contract worth HUF 12.9 billion (EUR 33.6 million) has been awarded and is scheduled for completion in December 2022. On the railway section Ebes - Debrecen, the work includes the modernization of the line and the construction of a second track, which will increase the axle load to 22.5 tons and ensure the movement of trains at a speed of 160 km/h. The overhead line system modernization, road overpass construction, and power and line cable laying are also part of the HUF 15.1 billion (EUR 39.5 million) worth project.

The Szajol – Debrecen railroad, part of the Szajol – Zahony line to the Ukrainian border, has received European funding to develop studies to reconstruct the entire line in order to allow trains to travel at 160 km/h.