Developing transport connections and infrastructure in the Region: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Conference of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers “Developing transport connections and infrastructure in the Region: A Gateway to Europe” 26 May 2017, Tallinn, Estonia Jacek Włosowicz Senate of Poland Member of the Infrastructure Committee

Rail Baltica

Rail Baltica – Importance, Current Status and Next Steps Polanad • Warszawa – Białystok – Ełk – Suwałki – state border PL/LT- 360 km Lithuania • state border PL-LT – Mockava – Marijampole – Kaunas – Radviliskis – Siauliai - Joniskis - state border LT-LV - 340 km Latvia • state border LT-LV – Mejtene – Jelgava – Ryga – Rujena – state border LV-EE- 300 km Estonia • state border LV-EE – Moisaklua – Parnu – Tallin 200 km

Importance  The Polish government presents a clear position on the further development of transport infrastructure in the region of Central Europe  Poland is aware of the importance of the Rail Baltica railway route for the economic development of the Baltic states and the European Unio and their integration into single EU market  We need to effectively utilize our advantageous location in Europe by providing fast and efficient transport links in every direction.  The priority of the Polish side is to create favourable conditions for the development of transit routes on both the north-south axis and the east- west axis.  The modernization of the railway route "Rail Baltica" constitutes a part of this goal.

Importance  Freight transport volumes by rail are dropping a long time in Europe for the benefit of road transport. In my opinion, we should make every effort to reverse this trend. Rail transport is a type of transport that is a key element in the implementation of a sustainable EU transport policy.  Rail Baltica project can provide an effective response to the marginalization of rail transport on the north-south axis. Poland is keen to shift the transport of goods to railways, which could have a positive impact on environmental protection in the particularly ecologically sensitive areas of north-eastern Poland  The implementation of the joint European project provides an opportunity for the successful economic development of our countries and regions located along its route, which, thanks to the new railway line, will provide a unique opportunity for economic recovery.

Current Status and Next Steps • Poland is consistently carrying out its tasks on the Rail Baltica route. • We count on the possibility of receiving EU funds from the CEF to fulfill our tasks.

Rail Baltica route it’s divided into 4 sections. 1) Section Warszawa – Sadowne. 4a) Section Białystok – Ełk  Total cost: 1,4 bln zł ,  Total cost: 1,7 bln zł ;  Length of the section: 66,5 km,  Length of the section 90 km;  Works on the Warsaw-Sadowne section  Years of implementation: 2017-2023 will finish this summer. 4b) Section Ełk - Trakiszki (state border) 2) Section Sadowne – Czyżew  Total cost: – to estimate  Total cost: 1,03 bln zł ,  Length of the section 95 km,  Length of the section: 35,5 km,  Years of implementation: ?  Years of implementation: 2016-2020. 3) Section Czyżew – Białystok  Total cost: 1,bln zł ,  Length of the section: 71,3 km,  Years of implementation: 2017-2021.