PLK Approves 29 Grade-Separated Crossings for PLN 430.5M

WARSAW, POLAND – Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PLK) has selected 29 locations for the construction of overpasses and tunnels to eliminate level crossings, allocating PLN 430.5 million (EUR 101 million) from a total program envelope of PLN 861 million (EUR 202 million). The projects were chosen from 35 evaluated applications after a call that closed on February 5, 2026, and mark the second phase of the state-budget-funded competition.

How Is the Funding Structured?

The program provides co-financing to local authorities and road administrators for the full removal of at-grade crossings and their replacement with grade-separated infrastructure. Each project can receive up to PLN 60 million (EUR 14 million) from PLK, with the state budget covering both construction of overpasses/underpasses and the costs of technical documentation and removal of existing crossings. Eligibility requires integration into the road network and local community approval. With the first phase already funding 17 projects, the two phases combined will deliver 46 overpasses and underpasses nationwide.

Key Funding Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Funding Programs?

PLN 861 million represents a targeted safety investment, while Poland’s broader railway modernization is underscored by the Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) project, which is procuring a high-speed rail network integrated with a new international airport (Source: Aviation Week, July 2026). In contrast, a contemporaneous safety initiative on Brazil’s Carajás and Vitória a Minas railways involves a R$1 billion (approx. EUR 160 million) agreement between Vale and Wabtec to deploy Positive Train Control technology, highlighting a technology-led approach to risk reduction rather than infrastructure removal (Source: Railway Gazette, July 2026). Comparable funding totals for dedicated grade crossing elimination programs in other EU member states were not publicly available at time of publication.

Editor’s Analysis

Poland’s systematic elimination of level crossings aligns with EU-wide safety targets and complements the capacity gains expected from CPK’s high-speed lines. The reliance on local co-financing, however, introduces uncertainty; six projects remain on a reserve list and final implementation depends on cost reassessments and municipal budget readiness. While the envelope is modest beside CPK’s multi-billion-euro scope, the program directly removes 46 at-grade conflict points, altering risk profiles on secondary corridors where train frequency is rising.

FAQ

Q: How many level crossings will be replaced in total across both phases?
A: Together, Phase I and Phase II will deliver 46 overpasses and underpasses throughout Poland.

Q: What is the maximum funding a single project can receive?
A: PLK can provide up to PLN 60 million (EUR 14 million) per project, covering construction, documentation, and removal of the existing at-grade crossing.

Q: When will construction be completed?
A: No unified completion date has been disclosed. The final list may change based on cost reviews and local authorities’ ability to supply matching funds, so timelines will vary by site.