PKP announces autumn start to modernization of Central Poland line

Polish State Railways (PKP) has announced that work on the modernization of the 52 kilometer stretch of railway from Minsk Mazowicki to Siedlce in Central Poland will start in the autumn. The European Union (EU) will provide 75% of the zl.430 million the project is expected to cost. However, the Puls Biznesu daily is reporting that the work, which was originally planned to start in April, may be postponed again, to the spring of next year. The reason for the delays is believed to be PKP's difficulties in meeting the strict conditions for completing the first phase of the project that must be met before the EU will forward any funds. Following the modernization of the track, trains will be able to travel at 160 km/h between Minsk Mazowicki and Siedlce, instead of the 120 km/h at present. (Puls Biznesu, p. 11) P.J.