PORR, an Austria-based construction company, has been awarded a €97m contract by the PKP PLK to modernise the E30 railway line on the Kedzierzyn Kozle–Opole Zachodnie network in Poland.

As per the design and build contract, PORR will be responsible for the project's design, planning and construction of the rail network.

Besides replacing 91km of track superstructure, including catenary and 112 sets of points, PORR will refurbish nine bridges, five viaducts, three underpasses, 32 passageways and 22 level crossings.

PORR will also modernise the network's control and safety technology, while upgrading 15 signal boxes.

Once completed, the modernisation of the 40km rail line between Kedzierzyn Kozle and Opole will considerably boost capacity along the route as well as permit additional passenger and freight transport.

Additionally, it will also increase the maximum permissible speed on the line to 160km/h from the existing range of 60km/h and 100km/h.

PORR CEO Karl-Heinz Strauss said: “Two criteria were especially important when awarding the tender: naturally one was the price, but this time the technological solution was also a key factor.

“Track closures needed to be kept to a minimum. Our Polish railway construction team, which has succeeded once again through its expertise, proposed a mechanical upgrade to the superstructure with special track construction machines.”

The project is due for completion in 50 months.