V0: preparation of the freight railway line bypassing Budapest continues

The next step in the preparatory work for the V0 freight railway line is to conduct a preliminary survey of the wildlife affected by the route, prepare an environmental impact assessment, and obtain an environmental permit for the new railway line. A new EU public procurement procedure has been launched by the HUNGRAIL, which is coordinating the preparation of the National Railway Freight Transport Concept and, based on that, the development of the V0 freight railway line, according to the organisation's announcements.

They said that environmentally friendly freight transport is essential for economic development, and that rail, as the most sustainable mode of transport, is once again playing an increasingly important role. Both national and international objectives include shifting passenger and freight traffic from road to rail, as far as possible. Rail accessibility also plays a role in the location choices of companies with international networks.

Budapest, as the main rail hub on the Hungarian rail network, is a major bottleneck for both international and domestic passenger and freight traffic. In order to achieve long-term development, a decision has been taken to draw up a National Rail Freight Concept, which is open for consultation until 20 August and will lay the foundations for the designation of a railway line bypassing Budapest from the south.

The planned V0 railway line would create a competitive rail freight link by bypassing the congested Budapest and agglomeration rail network and will meet the parameters required for the TEN-T network, thus achieving full interoperability for freight transport. The current transit traffic share of 35% is expected to reach 52% after the completion of the V0 Phase I.

Surveys could start this year

The preparatory work necessary for the implementation of V0 is currently underway. Detailed analyses of the Szolnok−Kecskemét−Székesfehérvár−Győr route section are still ongoing, and the feasibility study will soon be completed under the supervision of Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium, they announced.

As we we wrote earlier, the track was examined by Főmterv Zrt. and Trenecon Kft..

The investment will give priority to the protection of residential areas and natural assets. HUNGRAIL has launched a new public procurement procedure to assess the habitat of the track partly in the Natura 2000 area, to prepare an environmental impact assessment and to obtain environmental permits. The current deadline for submission of tenders is 14 August 2023.

After the successful tender procedure and the entry into force of the relevant contract, it is planned to start the wildlife survey work with the winning contractor this autumn, which will lead to the refinement of the trail, taking into account all aspects of the project.

Construction of a new Danube rail bridge also needed

A double-track electrified line with a 22.5 tonne axle load, at least 740 metres long, capable of carrying freight trains without obstacles and capable of speeds of 100-120 km/h, will be built, partly on new track and partly using existing railway lines.

The planned link will also require the construction of a new railway bridge over the Danube. The project will connect major domestic and cross-border industrial areas and thus link them to the international trade circuit, increasing not only transit traffic but also the economic access of domestic products to export markets. In the long term, this could contribute to a 50 percent increase in rail freight transport by 2030 and a doubling by 2050, in line with the European Union's targets," concludes HUNGRAIL.