CEUTP at the 14th Polish Infrastructure Congress: On railway investments, market liberalization, and road infrastructure development
The 14th Polish Infrastructure Congress in Warsaw served as an important forum for discussing the most significant challenges facing the Polish transportation sector. The event was attended by experts from the Center for EU Transport Projects, who participated in debates on rail and road investments, administrative efficiency, infrastructure financing, and the process of liberalizing the rail market in Poland.
During this year’s edition of the Congress, representatives of CEUTP spoke at three panel discussions, presenting the perspective of the institution responsible for the effective use of European Funds in the transportation sector and for supporting strategic development processes in Poland.
Investment Dynamics and Public Administration – CEUTP’s Perspective in the Debate on Barriers to Infrastructure Development
Joanna Lech, director of CEUTP, participated in the debate titled “Investment Dynamics and Public Administration. What Is Holding Back Infrastructure Development?” Joanna Lech, director of CEUTP, took part. The discussion focused on factors influencing the pace of infrastructure investment implementation, including the role of public administration, the stability of funding, administrative procedures, and the availability of qualified personnel.
The pace of railway investments is primarily influenced by: funding, the professionalization of staff implementing infrastructure projects co-financed by EU funds, and efficient cooperation and well-prepared investment processes. It is precisely these elements that determine the successful implementation of projects and the stable development of the railway sector— Joanna Lech, director of the Center for EU Transport Projects.
During the debate, attention was also drawn to the importance of strengthening the institutional capacity of public authorities, reforming appeal procedures and public procurement, as well as the need for better cooperation between the government, the business community, and the academic community. Another key theme was the professionalization of staff implementing projects co-financed by European Funds, including those carried out under EU technical assistance, which leads to more efficient administrative processes, such as the issuance of permits.
An important step in the process of liberalizing the rail market
One of the highlights of the Congress was the announcement of the launch of preliminary market consultations as part of the process of liberalizing the railway market in Poland. This information was shared by Edyta Jaszczuk, MBA, director of the Department of Transport Organization at CEUTP, during the debate titled “Rail at a Turning Point: Investments, Capacity, and Integration.”
Today marks an important milestone in the process of liberalizing the railway market in Poland. We have announced preliminary market consultations, to which we invite all interested parties. “The goal is to work together to plan the division of the market into packages, establish requirements for rolling stock, and simply: be able to prepare the best possible tender documentation,” noted the director of the Department of Transport Organization at CEUTP.
The announcement of market consultations is a key step in the preparations for opening the market. Their purpose is to gather the opinions and experiences of market participants, which will help in developing optimal solutions regarding the structure of future procurement procedures, rolling stock requirements, and the model for organizing transport services.
During the panel discussion, participants also discussed a number of challenges related to the development of railways in Poland, including:
- the conditions for implementing large-scale railway projects,
- increasing the capacity of rail hubs for regional and freight traffic,
- the electrification of the rail network and the expansion of power supply systems,
- the role of high-speed rail in enhancing the attractiveness of the entire network,
- the development of modern technologies, including autonomous solutions,
- rail market integration and a passenger-oriented approach.
During the debate, Edyta Jaszczuk also emphasized the growing role of CEUTP as a strategic partner of the Ministry of Infrastructure in shaping the direction of the railway network’s development, supporting market integration, and ensuring the efficient use of public funds.
European Funds and the Development of Road Infrastructure in Poland
The third key aspect of CEUTP’s participation in the Congress was a panel discussion titled “Roads—Financing, Construction, Maintenance, and Traffic Management, ” in which Sylwia Cieślak-Wilk participated. The panel focused on the key challenges associated with the development of road infrastructure—from stable financing of projects, through their implementation and maintenance, to effective traffic management.
In her remarks, the CEUTP expert highlighted the scale of the changes that have taken place in Poland thanks to the effective use of EU funds:
“Thanks to the efficient management of billions in funds by the Center for EU Transport Projects, over the past 20 years, Poland has secured and implemented EU funds to build nearly 970 km of highways and over 2,930 km of expressways. EU funds totaling over 100 billion PLN have enabled the expansion of the road network, which has permanently connected Polish regions and radically improved traveler safety,” said Sylwia Cieślak-Wilk, deputy director of the EU Transport Projects Center (CEUTP).
This is a tangible result of many years of efforts to develop a modern, safe, and cohesive transportation infrastructure. The expansion of the road network, co-financed by European Funds, has not only improved transportation access to many regions of the country but has also contributed to economic development and the quality of life for residents.
CEUTP is actively contributing to the debate on the future of transportation
The participation of CEUTP experts in the 14th Polish Infrastructure Congress confirms the institution’s commitment to the most important development processes concerning Poland’s transportation infrastructure. The Congress provided an opportunity to exchange experiences, showcase the results of European Fund utilization, and discuss the direction of future initiatives in the areas of rail and road infrastructure.
The following remain particularly important for CUPT:
- effective management of public funds and European funds,
- promoting the professional development of personnel involved in infrastructure projects,
- strengthening cooperation between the government, investors, and the market,
- the development of a modern, integrated, and accessible transportation system,
- creating favorable conditions for the liberalization of the passenger rail transport market in Poland.
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