Modernisation of Plzeň Main Station Allowed Trains to Pass Up to Four Times Faster

05.10.2017

Modernisation of the Plzeň junction was divided into several independent parts The construction Junction Plzeň, 1^st construction – reconstruction of the Prague station head was related to the investment called Passage through the Plzeň junction in direction Rail Transit Corridor III, dealing with modernisation of the railway line between the main station and the station Plzeň-Jižní Předměstí which has been reconstructed as well. During the following construction which is ending now, the Eastern part of the railway station was complete reconstructed.

”The main asset of the Prague station head modernisation, i.e. the track development in direction to Prague, is especially eliminating a drop in trains’ speed while passing through the station. While fast trains had to slow down to 20 kph at switches up to now, they can now pass the same section at speeds up to 80 kph. The construction had other positive aspects as well such as improving effectiveness of transport flows and decreasing operation and service costs. Moreover, the installation of new signalling equipment resulted in higher railway operation safety”, said Mr. Mojmír Nejezchleb, Deputy Director General of SŽDC for Infrastructure Modernisation.

”We modernised complicated switch constructions and extensive trackage of the Plzeň main Station. However, passengers will appreciate most barrier-free access to each modernised platform and a newly build underpass which will improve transfer from trains to mass urban transport”, said Mr.Jan Mitlöhner, Project Manager of the company Skanska which carried out the project.

Phase II of the project also included construction of a new two-storeyed building of the central interlocking. It contains not only centralised technology of the signalling equipment in the whole junction but also the station dispatcher room, the workplace of regional traffic control, the traction substation, the transformer substations, uninterruptible electric power supply and premises for railway infrastructure maintenance manpower.

The supplier of the construction designated as Junction Plzeň, 1^st construction – reconstruction of Prague station head was the company Skanska. This was a phased project where Phase II was co-financed from the Operational Programme Transport (OPT) within the programme period 2007-2013 and Phase II was approved for co-financing from OPt within the programme period 2014-2020.

Total investment costs of Phase II equalled CZK 1,232,831,755 (VAT excluded) from total investment costs for both phases equalling CZK 2,569,626,649. The planned EU contribution from its Cohesion Fund for Phase II amounted up to CZK 547,662 761. National financing was provided by the State Fund for Transport Infrastructure.

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