Modernisation of the triple-track section Praha-Běchovice - Úvaly is completed

05.08.2016

Úvaly, 5 August 2016 – Správa železniční dopravní cesty (the Czech Railway Infrastructure Administration) completed one of its most important constructions on the territory of the capital of Prague and the Central Bohemia Region – modernisation of the railway line section Praha-Běchovice - Úvaly. The ambitious construction which was launched after many years of preparation on 17 October 2013 was successfully put into testing operation in May 2016.

The construction is part of the international transit corridor Berlin – Praha – Wien. Together with other sections already completed, in construction or in preparation, modernisation of this triple-track line allowed smooth passage of trains through the Prague junction on Czech Rail Transit Corridor I both in passenger and in freight transport.

The modernisation’s objective was assuring required technical parameters of tracks to provide a speed increase, track clearance and bearing capacity of the railway substructure and superstructure. This created sufficient railway capacity and conditions for observing required hygienic noise and vibration limits. Corresponding approach to passengers with limited mobility and orientation was assured as well.

”The main construction’s asset is increasing quality of long-distance passenger transport, especially higher travelling comfort and reaching a maximum speed possible up to 160 kph“, said Mr. Pavel Surý, Director General of SŽDC.

A new permanent way construction type with elastic rail fastening was used on the line. Passengers will appreciate perceptibly smoother travelling while residents in the line’s vicinity will register lower noise from railway operation. During construction arrangements, new safety signalling equipment was installed and the catenary was completely reconstructed.

Total estimated costs of the construction designated as Modernisation of the line section Praha-Běchovice – Úvaly amounted to CZK 1,724,800,775 (VAT excluded). The project was co-financed by the European Union under the Operational Programme Transport with a planned amount from the Cohesion Fund reaching up to CZK 1,196,204,042. National financing was provided by the State Fund for Transport infrastructure. The works’ supplier was the company STRABAG Rail a.s.