The European Commission announced on Monday that the EU will provide more than €190 million from the 2014-2020 Cohesion Fund to improve rail infrastructure in Slovakia. Thanks to this investment, Slovakia will be able to complete the railway infrastructure that will improve the connections of the Žilina-Teplička railway station, which is considered to be the core of the trans-European transport network. The EU funding will support the reconstruction and modernisation of a total of 7.85 kilometres of railway.
In the first phase of the project, earthworks, dismantling of old rails and laying of supporting structures under the tracks will be completed on the Strážov-Žilina and Budatín-Žilina sections and at Žilina station. Two platforms and extended noise barriers will also be completed, and six railway bridges, four road bridges, one new road bridge and six underpasses will be built or reconstructed. Finally, five underpasses for pedestrians and cyclists will be built and widened, and an electronic signalling system for the Žilina railway junction will be installed, together with European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) signalling equipment. Overall, the project will increase the capacity and speed of the rail network, reduce train journey times and improve the safety and reliability of rail services.
The Commission recalled that the use of trains will also lead to a reduction in emissions of nitrogen dioxide and harmful particulate matter. In addition, the new source of alternating current will ensure railway interoperability and reduce energy costs. Finally, the EU funding will also help improve the accessibility of stations and trains for people with reduced mobility. Elisa Ferreira, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reform, said that the project approved for Slovakia strengthens the railway infrastructure in the Žilina region and will directly benefit citizens through faster, safer and greener train travel.
Source: TASR
