Ukraine to launch $1 billion Lviv - Kharkiv high speed rail project this year

Kyiv, Ukraine (Urban Transport News): The Ministry of Infrastructure is kicking off a high-speed rail project in Ukraine. At the initial stage, the project envisages the construction of a railway line with a speed of up to 250 kilometres per hour and modern infrastructure to service InterCity trains and container traffic to the European Union. This was announced by Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Kryklii during his speech at the All-Ukrainian Forum "Ukraine 30" Infrastructure " on 22nd February 2021.

"Europe has defined 2021 as the year of railways. We are also in trend - for the first time in 30 years a sum worth UAH 4 billion allocated from the state budget will improve passengers service - 100 new train carriages and electrification. And most importantly - we are launching a project of high-speed rail. We need the speed of the 21st century and integration with the railways of the EU, accelerating the delivery of goods and containers, " stressed the Minister of Infrastructure.

The following directions were chosen for the implementation of the future project: Kyiv-Lviv-state border, Kyiv-Odesa, Kyiv-Kharkiv, Kyiv-Dnipro-Zaporizhia. "The first railway line with a speed of up to 250 km / h will connect the state border with Poland and Lviv (Sknyliv station) with the possibility of extending the line to Kyiv and further development of the Trans-European Transport Network TENT-T. The project envisages the construction of infrastructure for servicing InterCity trains and container transportation in the direction of the European Union," Vladyslav Kryklii added.

According to the Minister, the state should focus on the construction of new infrastructure not only in the road sector but also on the railways, ports, airports and post office.

"Transport accounts for about 6% of GDP and, together with related industries, employs about 1 million people. Improving infrastructure in several areas has a much greater multiplier effect than in one. That is why it is important to develop them," the Minister emphasized.

Vladyslav Kryklii also presented the achievements and plans of the Ministry in the implementation of priority public-private partnership projects in all infrastructure sectors, as well as in cooperation with international financial institutions.