Final acceptance of Warsaw – Poznań E20 railway line in the area of LCS Konin
On 31. August 2020, in accordance with the deadline specified in the contract with PKP PLK S.A., works related to the final acceptance of the modernization of the Warsaw – Poznań railroad line, carried out by TORPOL S.A. in the area of LCS Konin – Barłogi – Swarzędz section, within the project entitled “Works on the E20 railroad line on the Warsaw – Poznań section – other works, Sochaczew – Swarzędz section, carried out within the EU financial instrument Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). It is one of the largest multi-sectoral railroad line modernizations with a value exceeding PLN 1 billion gross.
– Owing to the very good cooperation and enormous involvement of all participants, this complex multi-sectoral construction process – the Employer (PKP PLK S.A.), the Project Engineer (BBF) and the Contractor – we can today enjoy the timely completion of construction works in all sectors on such a large project, which is a very important element of the National Railway Program (KPK). It contributes to improving a very important connection between Warsaw and Poznań. The effects of the investment will be felt primarily by the passengers – the comfort of the journey will increase with a shortened time – points out Grzegorz Grabowski, President of the Board of TORPOL S.A.
The investment has increased the capacity of the Warsaw-Poznan line, thus allowing passenger trains to travel at a maximum speed of 160 km/h and freight trains at 120 km/h. After the reconstruction, the platforms at the stations in Podstolice, Konin and Koło meet modern travel standards, among others, they are equipped with canopies, benches and bright lighting, while higher platforms and clear signs and visual and voice information systems make it easier for passengers to use the trains. The newly built Local Control Centre in Konin (LCS Konin) and 7 local control rooms is the most extensive facility of its kind in the country, which controls 118 km of the line and 51 rail-road crossings. LCS Konin and the control rooms are equipped with modern traffic control equipment and innovative technical solutions.
– Due to the full engagement of work, know-how and enormous experience of our employees, the implementation of this project went extremely smoothly and TORPOL has confirmed its very strong position on the extremely demanding railroad infrastructure market. Sub-contractor companies were also very important in this implementation, which efficiently and with the expected quality carried out the tasks entrusted to them. The execution of this contract is another confirmation of extensive competences of TORPOL Capital Group in the execution of large, complex infrastructure investments. I would like to remind you that the duration of the contract was 41 months and its execution required periodical involvement even of approx. 1000 employees and the work of a full set of specialized machines such as tamping machines, cleaning machines, network trains, which the company has at its disposal – says President Grabowski.
For the purpose of modernization of the double track railroad line 149 km of single track and over 300 km of catenary network were replaced. Along the entire modernized section of the line, a full fiber optic and copper network was installed, as well as transmission systems, technological communication, railroad radio and security systems, monitoring and information of passengers and cameras at crossings. Also 83 engineering facilities were modernized, including 8 railroad bridges, 65 culverts, 3 underpasses and 7 viaducts. Bridge facilities located on the Grójecki and the Warta-Gopło Channels deserve special attention. The 40-meter bridge on the Grójecki Channel was replaced with a steel truss weighing 160 tons, while the 25-meter bridge on the Warta-Gopło Channel gained a new, reinforced concrete and steel structure. New tracks were also laid on both objects and the catenary line was installed. Thanks to the modernization, both facilities meet the standard of traffic at speeds of up to 160 km/h. In order to improve the railroad line’s environmental impact, a total of 27 thousand m2 of acoustic screens were built.
