Solidarity Lanes between the European Union and Ukraine – a feasibility study will be prepared

Reducing train travel times and improving capacity on the Lublin-Dorohusk section to the Polish border are the main objectives of the feasibility study, which we entrusted to IDOM. We anticipate completing the Solidarity Lanes studies in 2026. Their net value exceeds PLN 10 million. Funding is provided by the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

The EU-UA Solidarity Lanes is a project coordinated by the Centre for EU Transport Projects. The project has three main goals: the first is to improve and modernize transport between the European Union and Ukraine. We aim to increase infrastructure capacity to improve passenger and freight transport efficiency on existing railway lines. The second goal is to increase interoperability, i.e., to make the railway systems of different countries more integrated and better interoperable. The third goal is to improve the efficiency of services at border crossings, i.e., to speed up and streamline border controls to make transport more efficient.

“The reconstruction of Ukraine and the integration of the Ukrainian economy with the European one cannot take place without the expansion of border infrastructure. Therefore, we are already preparing a feasibility study financed by the European Union. This will eliminate the current bottlenecks blocking transport exchange. One of the most important tasks will be the integration of the railway systems of both countries. This is a concrete dimension of our solidarity”, says Minister of Infrastructure, Dariusz Klimczak.

“The Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy is actively involved in building social and economic relations with the Ukrainian side. On April 24th of this year, Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz met with the Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction and the Minister of Development of Communities and Territories, Mr. Oleksiy Kuleba. The long-awaited signing of the agreement to develop a feasibility study for the CEF EU-UA Solidarity Lanes railway project is an important milestone in the implementation of the EU Solidarity Lanes initiative. The project will contribute to improving transport, primarily freight, between the European Union and Ukraine, facilitating access for Polish entrepreneurs to the Ukrainian market”, says Jan Szyszko, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy.

“The implementation of the EU-UA Solidarity Lanes project is a key aspect of our rail network development. Reducing travel times and improving capacity on the Lublin-Dorohusk section is a milestone in the modernization of transport between the European Union and Ukraine. This project will increase the efficiency of passenger and freight transport, improve the interoperability of rail systems, and streamline procedures at border crossings”, says Piotr Wyborski, CEO of Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A.

The feasibility study will analyze various project implementation options to shorten train travel times between Lublin and the Polish border. The work will include market analyses of transport services, socio-economic analyses, as well as technical and cost analyses. Based on this, the most advantageous investment option will be selected and applications for interoperability requirements will be prepared for the Office of Rail Transport.

The signed agreement also covers the development of a traffic and logistics management concept at the border crossing in Jagodzin/Dorohusk in order to improve border control procedures (such as the control of identity documents and visas, the operation of train scanners), phytosanitary, veterinary, customs, technical and tax matters.

The contractor will also take into account the assumptions regarding increasing the potential of cross-border transport from the Ukrainian side and will prepare tender documentation for the implementation of further stages of the project.

The development of the Feasibility Study for the Lublin – Chełm – PG in Dorohusk – PG in Jagodzin – Kowel railway line and the concept of developing the border crossing area – solidarity lanes is financed by the European Union from the CEF “Connecting Europe” instrument.