Ukraine is taking a significant step toward integration with the European Union through the construction of a new main railway network with a 1435 mm standard gauge (European gauge).
Strategy and Stages of Construction
The European Commission and the European Investment Bank have developed a strategy for integrating the railway networks of Ukraine, Moldova, and the EU. The main goal is to create a parallel network to the existing 1520 mm wide gauge. This will enable high-speed passenger transport and efficient international freight transport.
Three Stages of European Gauge Construction:
- Stage 1 – Connecting the Polish border (Mostyska) with Lviv, and building the section from Chisinau to the Romanian border. Cost: 700 million euros.
- Stage 2 – Construction of the Lviv-Kiev main line and the creation of a new rail corridor from Dorohusk (Poland) to Kiev. The planned connection from Lviv to Chop. Cost: 5.9 billion euros.
- Stage 3 – Extension of the European gauge from Kiev eastward to Kharkiv and Dnipro, as well as expanding the network south and west of Ukraine: Lviv – Ivano-Frankivsk – Chernivtsi – Romanian border, Odessa – Chisinau. Cost: 4.9 billion euros.
The total cost of all stages amounts to 11.5 billion euros.
Network Expansion
Future plans involve extending the European gauge to cities such as Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Sevastopol. However, some of these territories are currently under temporary occupation.
Chernivtsi and European Gauge to Romania
In 2025, it is planned to build the European gauge rail between Chernivtsi and Suceava (Romania). The project has already received funding for preparatory work thanks to a request from Ukrainian Railways and the Ukrainian government.
The European rail gauge will connect the following cities:
- Krakow (Poland)
- Lviv (Ukraine)
- Chernivtsi (Ukraine)
- Suceava (Romania)
- Ungheni (Moldova)
This project will significantly increase the export of goods from Ukraine and Moldova to the EU.
Challenges and Prospects
Building the European rail gauge is a complex and lengthy process. A large infrastructure project requires time for preparation and implementation. Delays are expected due to geopolitical, economic, and procedural challenges. However, swift preparation and commencement of work at all stages will bring Ukraine closer to European standards.
The development of the European rail gauge is an important step towards:
- Increasing the country’s transit potential.
- Simplifying logistics and trade with the EU.
- Creating high-speed rail transport for passengers.
The European rail gauge is not just a transport project, but also a symbol of Ukraine’s integration into the European community.