PKP PLK S.A. launches the largest railway investment in the history of the Silesian Voivodeship. The reconstruction of tracks, turnouts and overpasses in Katowice starts in September 2024; this leads to numerous long-term difficulties in terms of moving around the city, also to the University of Silesia’s community
AS OF 5 September 2024
The updated information on PKP PLK S.A. dedicated website at https://slaskienatorach.pl.
CHANGES TO ROAD TRAFFIC
The modernisation of the European route E65 will involve repairs of the overpasses:
- ul. Bagienna – road will be narrowed from 9 September,
Narrowing to one lane on both sides on Route DK 79 between Katowice and Mysłowice - ul. Graniczna – road temporarily closed from 16 September,
The closest detours via ul. Damrota and ul. Murckowska - ul. Mikołowska – road temporarily closed from 23 September,
The closest detours via ul Kościuszki/Świętego Jana and ul. Francuska (the detour is also possible via ul. Bocheńskiego) - ul. Kłodnicka – road temporarily closed from 30 September,
The closest detours via ul. Ligocka and ul. Armii Krajowej - ul. Przodowników – road temporarily closed from 11 November,
The closest detours via ul. Brygadzistów and ul. Ligocka - ul. Załęska – road temporarily closed from 11 November,
The closest detours via ul. Ligocka and ul. Rolna
CHANGES TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The changes to train timetables will be in force from September. The rail traffic through Katowice will be maintained, but some trains will have different or shortened routes. Selected Koleje Śląskie’s night trains will be supported by replacement bus services.
The ZTM has introduced an extra bus line Z-37, connecting Podlesie with Centrum Przesiadkowe Brynów so that commuters can reach or transfer to other public transport means and lines. The timetable for the line Z-37 is available on the ZTM website.
ABOUT THE INVESTMENT
The investment by PKP PLK S.A. is going to completely transform rail transport in the region. Its major premise is to divide the regional from the intercity flow, thanks to the construction of new tracks on the stretch from Będzin to Katowice. Consequently, this will increase the railway capacity in the Silesian Voivodeship, in terms of both freight and passenger trains, which in turn will allow for the creation of new train connections and facilitate access to trains.
The project involves creating five new stops at Sosnowiec Środula, Katowice Morawa, Katowice Uniwersytet, Katowice Akademia and Katowice Kokociniec. The comfort of railway travel in the region is to be improved by modernising four stations (Sosnowiec, Katowice Zawodzie, Katowice, Katowice Ligota) and two stops (Katowice Szopienice Południowe, Katowice Brynów).
In place will have its infrastructure rebuilt and adapted to serve passengers with physical disabilities; what is more, the stations at Sosnowiec and Katowice Ligota and the stop at Katowice Szopienice Południowe will be expanded with one additional platform each.
After the investment is completed, passenger trains will be able to accelerate to 160 km/h. This will be possible thanks to the replacement of approx. 130 km of tracks and 175 km of overhead contact line. Safe and efficient railway travel in the region will be ensured by the construction of a modern regional rail operating centre in Katowice and the reconstruction of over 150 engineering structures, including tracks, railway overbridges, overpasses, and bridges.
The reconstruction of the Katowice Railway Node is part of a greater investment covering the area from Będzin to Zebrzydowice and the border between Poland and Czechia. The modernisation of railway E65 along the sections Będzin – Katowice Piotrowice, Tychy – most Wisła (Goczałkowice) and Zabrzeg – Zebrzydowice will take approximately four years. The project is estimated at PLN 7,000,000,000 and is financed by the European Union’s funding instrument called the Connecting Europe Facility.
Katowice | Photo by Julia Agnieszka Szymala