THE Czech Railway Infrastructure Administration (SŽDC) has issued a tender for the construction of a new line between Plzen and Rokycany, which will reduce journey times between Prague and Plzen by six minutes when it opens in 2015.

 

The project, which is expected to cost around Koruna 7.5bn ($US 398.6m) involves the construction of a new 11km section, including a 4150m-long tunnel between Doubravka and Ejpovice which will be the longest rail tunnel in the Czech Republic. The link will be 6km shorter than the existing line via Chrást and will be built for 200km/h operation.

Tendering for the project had previously been due to start last November, although SŽDC and the Transport Ministry are keen to avoid further delays because European Union funding allocated to the project will be forfeited if contracts are not awarded by this summer. A winning bidder is due to be announced in May.