Connecting Europe: The European-Gauge Railway Lays Down its First Tracks as Construction Commences

Construction of the anticipated European-gauge railway has commenced in Ukraine, intending to connect Europe. Ukraine’s rail operator, Ukrainian Railways, has commenced constructing the railway in the west of the country. Once completed, the railway will link up with European railways in regions such as Slovakia and Hungary. The European-gauge railway line will run 22 kilometers from the city of Uzhorod to the town of Chop. The railway line is expected to be a bi-lane to allow for goods and passengers to move more easily. It will also facilitate for the movement between Ukraine’s broad gauge tack and the European Union’s standard gauge. Recently last week, Ukraine’s prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, was on site to witness the laying down of the first tracks of the line. He was in the company of other governmental delegates and representatives in Ukraine.

The Significance of the European-Gauge Railway Line

Other than the important factor that the European-Gauge railway line will connect Europe, it will also serve other purposes. Funded by the European Commission, a railway link between European countries through Ukraine will allow for easy movement across the continent. It will also facilitate the transportation of humanitarian aid into Ukraine, to help with the war efforts. It will also improve economic development and logistics within European countries and the continent as a whole. The completion of the European-gauge railway line will help facilitate in movement of cargo and freights between countries. Currently, it can take up to five hours to unload trains when freight is being moved between the systems. Furthermore, passengers currently travelling between Ukraine to other European countries have to change trains or wait for replacement train wheels to be installed. The railway line will facilitate addressing this issue effectively by enhancing locomotion across Europe.

The Scope of the Railway Line Construction Project

Earlier last year, the United States of America pledged $225M to facilitate a 75km railway line between Ukraine and other European countries. The European-gauge railway line was part of the future transport hub in Lviv, western Ukraine, that would connect to the Trans-European Network. The commencement of the project is a huge relief for many who expected it should have started sooner. The memorandum of understanding for the construction project was signed between the US Agency for International Development and Ukrainian Railways. Once completed, this US-funded project will also improve Ukraine’s connectivity to Europe. Furthermore, it will expand grain exports by as much as 2.5 million tonnes a year, an increase worth $425m. The authorities involved in the construction of the railway have not issued any timelines for the project. However, the commencement of the project shows that it will be implemented effectively and on time.

The State of Affairs Regarding the Railway Line that will Connect Europe

According to Ukrzaliznytsia CEO Yevhen Liashchenko, the European-gauge railway preparatory phase is underway, with main construction set to commence in May. The project includes reconstructing outdated infrastructure elements and modernizing dispatching technology. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the railway will facilitate direct rail connections to major European cities, including Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest. Ukrzaliznytsia also plans to introduce 18 new container routes across Europe by September 2024. This will further expand Ukraine’s rail connectivity within the continent. The project is co-financed with 50% grant from the EU Connecting Europe Facility and will cost $33 million.