The project worth 1.3 billion UAH is 50 percent funded by an EU grant
JSC Ukrzaliznytsia has completed the electrification of a 22-kilometer section of standard gauge track between Uzhhorod and Chop. This milestone enables the launch of direct passenger services to EU countries without the need to switch locomotives at the border. This is reported by the portal PromPolitInform, citing information from the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine.
The project’s implementation allows Uzhhorod to become the first regional center in Ukraine to have a direct rail link to the European network. Minister for Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine Mykola Kalashnyk emphasized that integrating the national railway into EU transport corridors is one of the agency’s priority tasks.
Infrastructure project parameters
During the work on the section, specialists installed 591 overhead line poles and mounted nearly 48 kilometers of wire. The total cost of the infrastructure development reached 1.3 billion UAH. Half of these funds were provided by the European Union as a grant under the Connecting Europe Facility program.
Next phases of work
Financing for the remainder of the project is provided through the state budget of Ukraine and the railway company’s own resources. Specifically, 285 million UAH of budget funds were allocated for these purposes in 2026. By the end of the current year, plans include finishing the electrification of the segment from Chop to the state border with Hungary, which will open the way for trains from the Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovakia.
Optimizing passenger transportation
To ensure uninterrupted movement on this route, which uses different current standards, Ukrzaliznytsia will utilize multi-system electric locomotives. This solution will reduce travel time for passengers and lower operational costs by eliminating the need to change traction rolling stock at border stations.
Photo: Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine
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