Ukrzaliznytsia, in collaboration with the Spanish railway infrastructure operator ADIF, will begin the project for an automatic rail track gauge change system in 2025, aiming to accommodate 1520 mm / 1435 mm / 1668 mm.
This was shared by Oleg Yakovenko, Director of the Strategy and Transformation Department at Ukrzaliznytsia, during the 6th International Rail Expo Conference.
"The technology is expected to have a positive impact not only in Ukraine but also in the Baltic states and Spain. We are going through all the necessary procedures, and the project will start next year. It will take about two more years for development and certification," said Yakovenko.
According to the JASPERS technical advisory service of the European Investment Bank, the automatic track gauge change system could cost 15 billion euros.
"Of this, 11 billion will be allocated to construction, and 4 billion will cover additional expenses, including depots, rolling stock, track machines, and all infrastructure supporting the system. Therefore, securing funding for such an ambitious project requires cooperation between the Ukrainian Government and various financial institutions, including the European Bank, the Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and others," Yakovenko emphasized.
The system will include two types: a two-position system (1520 mm / 1435 mm) and a three-position system, which will allow switching between 1520 mm, 1435 mm, and 1668 mm tracks, facilitating direct cargo transportation to Spain. Rail freight will compete with sea transport (currently, grain is shipped from Odessa to Spain by sea) through special tariffs.
"There is the Mediterranean Corridor, which will run entirely through Europe from west to east, from Spain to Lviv. We expect, in cooperation with various operators and transporters, to agree on competitive through tariffs. If everything is done correctly, this could be a real competition for maritime transport," added Yakovenko.
