The European Commission has approved a list of 94 transport projects under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program, which will receive grant support totaling 2.8 billion euros. Among the selected projects is an initiative to develop railway infrastructure in Ukraine, through which Ukrzaliznytsia will receive 76 million euros for the modernization of the railway line from the border with Poland to Lviv (Sknyliv station).
This is reported by Finway
Modernization of the European Gauge Railway to Lviv and Other Cross-Border Projects
The grant funding will allow Ukrzaliznytsia to begin construction of a European standard railway line that will connect the Ukrainian-Polish border with Lviv. This will significantly simplify cross-border passenger and freight traffic, as well as deepen regional cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union.
In addition to the Ukrainian project, funding is also allocated for other key railway routes in countries bordering Ukraine. In Romania, there are plans to modernize a 143-kilometer section of the Ploiești – Focșani railway, for which 45 million euros have been allocated. In Slovakia, funds will be provided for the modernization of a 10-kilometer section of the Bidrnik – Spišská Nová Ves railway (97.3 million euros) and for the preparation of the Košice – Čierna nad Tisou connection (32.2 million euros).
Strengthening Transport Links Between Ukraine and the EU
The key goal of the projects is to strengthen the Solidarity Corridors between Ukraine and the EU, as well as to gradually transition Ukraine to a European standard railway gauge. This will promote regional trade development and the integration of the Ukrainian transport system into the European space.
“The projects will strengthen the Solidarity Corridors between the EU and our country and will facilitate Ukraine’s transition to a European standard gauge, easing cross-border railway traffic and enhancing regional trade.”
It should be noted that 77% of the total funding under this initiative is directed specifically towards the development of railway transport. The signing of grant agreements is planned to be completed by October 2025.