On 7 July 2020, Budimex signed a contract for the execution of two projects – the reconstruction of the Warszawa Zachodnia station and the construction of an underground tram stop. The tasks are to be carried out under the project of the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment (OPI&E) 5.1–13 and OPI&E 6.1–22. This is the largest modernization of the railway junction under the National Railway Program by the end of 2020.
Warszawa Zachodnia is the most popular station in Poland in terms of passenger traffic. On average, about 1000 agglomeration, regional, long-distance national and international trains, freight trains, as well as WKD and KM trains pass through here daily. According to the latest data, 60 thousand people use the Western Railway Station during one working day, and by 2030 this number is expected to double.
The modernization project of the Warszawa Zachodnia station was prepared by architects from the DWAA Architekci studio. According to the concept, about 30 km of tracks, 130 turnouts and the overhead contact line will be comprehensively rebuilt. The works will take place on the Warszawa Wschodnia – Warszawa Zachodnia section and will last until 2023. The new system will enable the passage of trains from the ring line to the Radom line and the creation of direct connections between Piaseczno and Legionowo and Chopin Airport.
The planned works include widening the existing tunnel and extending it to the platform of the ring line. It will become an underground station. ” As part of the project, new platforms and a modernized station hall are also to be built, thanks to which the capacity of this station will increase and passengers will travel much more comfortably. The reconstruction of Warszawa Zachodnia is one of the most ambitious infrastructure concepts in recent years – says Dariusz Blocher, President and CEO of Budimex. “What distinguishes us and allows us to carry out such large projects is the fact that we have our own equipment to carry out railway works and a specialized team of engineers. We also have experience in the implementation of this type of tasks – last year we won a tender and started the modernization of the Port of Gdynia station worth PLN 1.8 billion gross. The gigantic investment is expected to increase the number of trains serviced, as well as reduce the duration of cargo handling. We are also completing the modernization of the Warsaw-Lublin line between Otwock and Nałęczów – adds Dariusz Blocher.
Fully roofed platforms are to be accessible to people with reduced mobility, and elevators and escalators will be adapted to transport prams and bicycles. There will also be a footbridge connecting Wola with Ochota. The entire station is to be clearly marked, and moving around Warszawa Zachodnia is to be facilitated by a new passenger information system.
On level -2. the construction of a tram tunnel is planned, which will be created as a technological void to be used in the future as part of the extension of the tram line from the Western Railway Station to Wola.
Underground stop
As part of the agreement with Warsaw Trams, an underground stop will also be built during the modernization of the Warszawa Zachodnia station. Budimex is responsible for the most complicated section of the entire route, which is located directly under the railway platforms. The tram route to Wilanów will start from a 500-meter tunnel under Al. Jerozolimskie and the Western Park.
The construction start date is set for July 8, 2020. Budimex assumed that it needed 1101 days to complete the work. The works will be carried out during the normal operation of the station, thanks to which the modernization of the station will not be burdensome for travelers.
The company has extensive experience in the construction of railway infrastructure. Currently, a project on the Warsaw-Lublin line is being implemented, under which about 120 km of the route will be built. Two sections have already been completed, i.e.: Otwock – Pilawa and Pilawa – Dęblin, and a section from Dęblin to Nałęczów is under construction. Budimex also modernized LCS Kutno on the Żychlin – Barłogi section. The scope of work included the dismantling of the track, strengthening the ground and construction of a new surface over a length of 18 km. Turnouts were also dismantled and reassembled, and 27 km of the new overhead contact line was hung.
