Fabryczna and Kalisk, the city’s two main stations, are not currently connected which the fund said was a major obstacle to the development of transport in the region.

 

The tunnel will begin at the newly-rebuilt Fabryczna station, before splitting into two with the northern line connecting to Żabieniec station and the southern line connecting to Kaliska station, with two new stations at Zielona and Ogrodowa. The new stations will have two 155m-long, 76cm-high platforms. The tunnel will be equipped with ERTMS and ETCS Level 2, with a maximum speed of 100km/h.

Both regional and long-distance trains will pass through Lodz city centre, with an east-west route through Kaliska, Fabryczna, and Widzew stations and a north-south route through Żabieniec, Fabryczna and Widzew stations.

The EU has invested €242m in the reconstruction of the railway network in Lodz and the renovation of Fabryczna and Widzew stations between 2007 and 2013. The current project is expected to be completed by January 2022.

“The inhabitants of the city will soon be able to cross the city more quickly and benefit from better interregional connections, with an efficient and environmentally friendly transport system,” says commissioner for regional policy, Ms Corina Creţu. “The development of rail transport in Lodz will also boost the local economy, trade and tourism.”

For more information on rail projects around the world, subscribe to IRJ Pro.