First Meeting of the Project Consortium for the Solidarity Lanes EU-UA Railway Project

A Few Words of Introduction – What are “Solidarity Lanes”?

Solidarity Lanes is a program initiated by the European Commission (European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency – CINEA) in May 2022. Its goal is to optimize and modernize traffic flows in terms of infrastructure, capacity, interoperability, and service efficiency at major border crossings between the European Union (EU) and Ukraine. This initiative was developed in response to the increasing transport and logistics needs stemming from the geopolitical challenges related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It aims to enhance capacity, interoperability, and transport service efficiency along the EU-Ukraine border.

As part of the Solidarity Lanes, CINEA is implementing various infrastructure projects, two of which are carried out with Polish and Ukrainian partners. These projects are funded through grant agreements signed by CINEA, the Center for EU Transport Projects (CEUTP), and partners from Poland and Ukraine. Both projects began in 2023 and are set to conclude in 2027. CEUTP coordinates these initiatives, ensuring the monitoring of work progress and the achievement of set milestones in consultation with the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, which acts as the Managing Authority for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF 2) 2021-2027 in Poland.

Read More: EU-UA Solidarity Lanes

EU-UA Solidarity Lanes Railway Project

The meeting, held in Lublin on October 28 and 29, 2024, specifically concerned the EU-UA Solidarity Lanes railway project (project no. 101122931). This project focuses on optimizing and modernizing transport flows in terms of infrastructure capacity, interoperability, and service efficiency at major rail border crossings between Poland and Ukraine.

Basic Project Information:

Grant Agreement Signing Date: October 10, 2023

Project Number per Grant Agreement: 101122931

Project Acronym per Grant Agreement: 22-EU-TG-PL-UA railway BCPs

Project Start Date per Grant Agreement: March 1, 2023

Project End Date per Grant Agreement: October 31, 2027

Eligible Project Costs per Grant Agreement: EUR 65,293,423.00

Maximum EU Funding: EUR 32,646,711.50

The project is coordinated by CEUTP and carried out by a Polish-Ukrainian consortium composed of PKP PLK S.A. and Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia). Actions under both projects support the modernization of transport infrastructure within the core and comprehensive TEN-T network. The projects align with the goals and priorities outlined under the Connecting Europe Facility, from which they receive funding.

What was Discussed in the Meeting?

The two-day working group meeting consisted of two parts:

October 28, 2024 – A full-day workshop on project details, during which participants introduced each other to their activities, addressed documentation and technical issues, and discussed information and promotional aspects of the project.

October 29, 2024 – Representatives of the project partners embarked on a study visit to the Świdnik station, followed by a visit to Lublin Main Station. Experts from PKP PLK S.A. extensively discussed issues surrounding station modernization, shared insights on effective use of European funds, and answered questions from Ukrainian Railways specialists.

During the working group meeting for the “EU-UA Solidarity Lanes” railway project, a schedule of upcoming activities was established. All workshop participants left with new knowledge, direct contacts for their project counterparts, and a clearer understanding of their roles in the project.

What Activities Will Be Carried Out as Part of the Project?

The key task for the Polish partner, PKP PLK S.A., is to develop a Feasibility Study for the railway line from Lublin to Chełm, then to the border crossing in Dorohusk – Jagodzin – Kovel, as well as a land development plan for the border crossing area – Solidarity Lanes. The tender for the Feasibility Study (FS) was announced by PKP PLK SA on March 11, 2024, and on June 4, 2024, the bids (nine received) were opened. The contract with the FS contractor is expected to be signed in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The feasibility study is divided into two parts:

– Part A– Covers the railway line between Lublin and the Polish-Ukrainian border.

– Part B – Encompasses the land development concept for the Dorohusk/Jagodzin border crossing.

On the Ukrainian side, responsibilities include preparing pre-design documentation based on the FS results for the section from the UA/PL border to Kovel (development of the FS for expanding the railway line between the UA/PL border at Dorohusk/PKJ Jagodyn and Kovel), as well as short-term work on the railway line at the Jagodyn border crossing and the line between Lyuboml, Matseiv, and Kovel (revitalization work). Additional work is planned at the railway line at the Mostyska I and Mostyska II border crossings, along with repair of loading equipment in Kovel, including the purchase and installation of a gantry crane for container handling at the Kovel multimodal terminal.

We will keep you updated on the project’s progress through the Center for EU Transport Projects’ information channels.