The line is expected to follow the existing standard-gauge Košice -
Zvolen line as far as Filakovo, and then via a new alignment, join the
Budapest - Bratislava line west of Nové Zamky. It will cross the Danube
near Bratislava.
Zvolen line as far as Filakovo, and then via a new alignment, join the
Budapest - Bratislava line west of Nové Zamky. It will cross the Danube
near Bratislava.
According to RZD president Mr Vladimir Yakunin, initial estimates put
the cost of the project at Euros 4.7 billion, which includes Euros 312
million for upgrading the existing 87km broad-gauge line in Slovakia.
Construction will take around four years and the line could open in
2016.
The broad-gauge line to Košice was built in the 1960s to carry coal and
iron ore from the Soviet Union to the East Slovakian Steelworks. The
steelworks was sold to US steel in 2000, but still receives raw
materials from Ukraine via the broad-gauge line.
Containers are transhipped between standard and broad-gauge
wagons at Dobra in eastern Slovakia. Photo: Keith Fender
wagons at Dobra in eastern Slovakia. Photo: Keith Fender
