POLISH infrastructure manager PKP PLK has signed a Zlotys 5m ($US 1.17m) contract with Systra to study a replacement for a bridge causing a bottleneck on line 273, the main rail connection between Lower Silesia and the ports of Szczecin and Swinoujscie on the Baltic sea.
The contract covers the design and supervision of the replacement for an ageing, 400m-long steel bridge over the river Odra. Systra project manager, Mr Marcin Garbarczyk, told IRJ that only one track on the bridge is currently operational due to the general deterioration of the bridge.
Trains are currently limited to 40km/h when transiting the bridge.
The bridge will either be upgraded or replaced, with plans to reintroduce a double-track line over the river with a line speed of 120km/h for passenger services.
The contract also covers the design to realign the track on a 3km line between Księginice and Brzeg Dolny in Wrocław, as well as improve the drainage, culverts, overhead electrification, signalling, telecoms and non-traction power supply infrastructure. Systra will also obtain the required permits and authorisations.
