Ukraine resumes electrification of vital freight-dedicated railway to Poland
Ukrainian Railway (UZ) is gradually returning to normal activity in the western part of the country. After a short break caused by the Russian invasion, the national railway undertaking has recommenced the electrification works on the Kovel – Izov – state border line, which is essential for cross-border rail freight traffic between Ukraine and Poland.
The Ukrainian railwaymen returned to the Kovel – Izov – state border line for relaunching the electrification works on the section. “We will complete the project on schedule by 1 June,” said Oleksandr Kamyshin, the acting CEO of UZ, earlier this week. This will allow Ukraine to speed up and increase freight traffic to and from neighbouring Poland.
Current status
UZ commenced the electrification project on the Kovel – Izov – state border line in May 2021. However, the active works began only three months later, in August. By the end of 2021, the national railway undertaking electrified almost 46 per cent of the 94-kilometre-long route. The entire project is estimated at over 1.4 billion hryvnia (around 43.4 million euros).
The Kovel – Izov – state border line runs towards the Polish station of Hrubieszów, where the Broad Gauge Metallurgy Line begins. Actually, the Ukrainian railway is a gateway to the Polish freight-dedicated line that runs to Sławków. The ongoing electrification will allow both countries to intensify cross-border rail freight traffic.
Greater importance
After the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian war, both sections, the Kovel – Izov – state border and the Broad Gauge Metallurgy Line, have become of greater importance, particularly in moving humanitarian aid from Poland to Ukraine. “The war made the western border crossings even more important in our work. Therefore, the project became even more important. Almost all materials have already been purchased. The workers are happy to return to work and support the country during the war by completing such an important project,” added Oleksandr Kamyshin.