Budimex has completed works on the A1 section of railway line No. 104 Chabówka – Rabka Zaryte, as part of the Podłęże–Piekiełko strategic railway project. After a break of more than two years due to modernization, passengers can again use the Rabka-Zdrój stop, equipped with a new, 300-meter platform. This is the first stage of one of the most important railway investments in the Małopolska region.
“The reconstruction of the entire communication system of the center of Rabka while maintaining traffic continuity was a huge engineering challenge. Thanks to the commitment of the team and close cooperation with the residents, we are putting the first fragment of this long-awaited investment into use,” says Krzysztof Kulpa, Contract Director at Budimex SA.
As part of the investment, a new underpass with a ramp for people with reduced mobility and a completely rebuilt road system in the center of Rabka-Zdrój were created – with two roundabouts, a collision-free passage under the tracks and renovated underground infrastructure. Thanks to this, residents and tourists have gained a safer and more functional communication system in the heart of the city.
Environmental standards and social dialogue
The modernization of the Chabówka – Rabka Zaryte section was carried out in a demanding mountainous area, with active landslides and urban buildings. The investment was covered by extensive environmental supervision, including, m.in, botanical, ichthyological, herpetological, chiropterological, entomological and ornithological monitoring.
Budimex will also carry out compensatory measures: planting about 730 trees and 1000 m² of shrubs, installing 12 birdhouses and 8 bat boxes. Construction waste was collected selectively and handed over to specialized entities. On the other hand, materials such as crushed track, soil and sand, or aggregate from construction works were used on site.
“In the case of this type of implementation, the most important thing is not only the final result, but also the way the work is carried out. At each stage, we consulted with the local community, informing residents about changes in traffic organization and responding to reports. Transparent dialogue is one of the key elements of the entire process,” emphasizes Mateusz Mikołajczyk, Deputy Contract Director at Budimex SA.
A project of strategic importance
On 11 May 2023, Budimex signed a contract for the implementation of the first stage of the LK 104 modernisation with PKP PLK. The contract worth PLN 366 million net covered a 6-kilometer section of the railway line along with technical infrastructure and the construction of new engineering facilities. The line is part of the TEN-T network and the railway component of the Central Communication Port.
The modernization of line 104 is one of the key parts of the “Podłęże-Piekiełko” project, which will ultimately reduce the travel time from Krakow to Nowy Sącz to about an hour, and to Zakopane – to 90 minutes.
