Český Těšín railway station has been undergoing overall reconstruction for a year already. A managers’ control day took place on 5 December. The investor of this construction project, worth over one billion Czech crowns, is the Railway Infrastructure Administration, state organisation (RIA). The building contractors are consortium member companies Subterra and Metrostav.

This important investment is connected to the already completed optimisation of the Bystřice nad Olší – Český Těšín railway line section. The main objective of the project is to considerably increase operation speed, safety and travelling comfort for passengers as well as more effective freight transport. Complete reconstruction of railway superstructure and substructure will take place, especially on the main tracks of Český Těšín railway station which will result in an increase of line speeds of up to 70 -120 km/h, and up to 150 km/h for tilting trains.

All platforms will have a standard height of 550 millimetres Above Top of Rail (ATR). The underpass for passengers will be also reconstructed with barrier-free access using three lifts. A camera system for easier traffic control will be installed in the station to follow platform edges and the underpass. At the same time, the current Pragotron information equipment will be replaced by a new one.

The catenary will undergo reconstruction as well, cables and lighting will be relocated and adapted and heating of switches will contribute to seamless operation even in winter months. Modern safety equipment will be installed not only at this important railway junction but also on connected line sections to Louky nad Olší and to Albrechtice u Českého Těšína. In the future it should be connected to remote control from the Traffic Control Centre in Přerov.

During this year, construction work has taken place on the tracks of the railway station in the direction of Třinec. They concerned mostly the reconstruction of railway superstructure and substructure as well as the installation of catenary and provisional safety equipment. In addition, construction of a new technological building is underway and the traction transformer substation is being reconstructed.

The project is eligible for co-financing from the EU Cohesion Fund under the Operational Programme on Transport for the period 2007 – 2013. The anticipated amount of EU funding represents 78.96% of eligible costs. The remaining costs will be covered by the National Transport Infrastructure Fund.