Before that, one of the most challenging modernisation projects in terms of costs and complexity will take place covering all railway systems and related infrastructure. Optimized alignment, new tracks, signalling system (ERTMS), traction power system, tele- and radio communication, rolling stock, stations, depots and structures will all be modernised and renewed.

COWI together with three Polish and one German partner has been given the task to find out, which technical solutions and systems are best to use in the modernisation, how much it will cost, how long it will take, how the modernisation shall be carried out and how EU co-financing is to be ensured.

International experience and staff

COWI has many years of experience with international projects, and COWI's employees are used to working across boundaries and cultures.  For this project COWI has among others drawn on experience from other rail projects in Poland: Warszawa - Bialystok, Sokolka-Suwalki-Trakiszki, Rzepin- German border and Minsk Mazowiecki-Siedlce.

COWI is the workplace for employees from all over the world. It is an additional advantage, when the projects are carried out abroad.

"COWI's international experience and the participation of COWI's Polish engineers was a priceless combination securing successful implementation of the project in close cooperation with the Polish State Railways Company and other involved stakeholders" says COWI's Project Manager Erling M. Bødker.

Spin-off of rail link modernization

The E30 projects catalyzed COWI's expansion in Poland starting with the E30 project office in Wrocław and developing into permanent offices in Wrocław, Warsaw and Bielsko-Biała.

"COWI Polska has tendered for and won new assignments for the Polish State Railway Company and has also established a good basis for development into other business areas as a spin-off of the rail link modernization project"- says COWI's Managing Director in Poland Jacek Jedrys.