In recent years, the Czech Republic has invested considerable funds in modernising its outdated railway system. In addition to new trains, the expansion of railway lines has long been a key issue. The country is now planning to build high-speed railway lines that will enable speeds of up to 320 km/h. However, before work can commence, challenges such as finance, land acquisition, and energy supply still need to be addressed.
By the end of March, the Ministry of the Environment is due to submit a statement on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the plan regarding the first sections of the high-speed railway line in the Czech Republic. Specifically, this concerns sections in the Přerov area, where the speed is initially to be increased to 200 km/h. Further, even faster lines, which will enable speeds of up to 320 km/h, are to be built in stages throughout the Czech Republic by 2050.
The construction of high-speed railway lines (Vysokorychlostní tratě, VRT) has been under discussion in the Czech Republic since the 1990s, and now concrete action is to follow. According to a report by news channel ČT24, the railway administration, which is responsible for the project, is ready to acquire the necessary land for construction and launch the required tenders for construction companies.
‘The extension and electrification of the 200 km/h line between Přerov and Brno will be followed by the construction of the Moravská brána line, which will be the first truly high-speed line capable of more than 300 km/h. I dare say that people will be able to use this line as early as 2035,’ Transport Minister Martin Kupka (ODS) told the broadcaster.
The other sections that are the most advanced in the entire approval process are the Prague-Světlá nad Sázavou line towards Brno and the Prague-Dresden line. However, there is still no exact date for the final realisation of either. By 2050, around 800 kilometres of special railway corridors for high-speed trains are to be built across almost the entire Czech Republic. A budget of around one trillion crowns has been earmarked for the expansion, making it the largest transport construction project in the history of the Czech Republic.
However, according to a report by the programme Bilance (ČT) on Monday, the project still faces several hurdles, including financing costs with possible interest rate fluctuations, which can play a significant role in long-term projects. In addition, the acquisition of the necessary land for the line requires negotiations with owners – around 60 per cent are already willing to sell their land. Finally, securing the energy supply for the new lines will be a crucial task, as solutions for the power supply still need to be found in some areas.
