CFR SA reported that the contract for the modernization of 54 km of railway between Timisoara and Lugoz was signed on Monday. The cost is 1.91 billion lei without VAT, and the developer is FCC Construccion. From December, trains will run from 68 to 110 minutes for 59 km between the two cities. The contract is part of the PNRR.

In 1998, the fastest trains traveled between Timisoara and Lugoz in 41-42 minutes.

In 2023, the speed of trains between Lugoj and Timisoara will not exceed 70 km/h, but in a few years, when the work is completed, the maximum speed will be 160 km/h.

What CFR SA says

The national railway company CFR SA announces that on Monday, November 28, a contract was signed for the modernization of railway infrastructure worth 1.91 billion lei excluding VAT for Lot 2 Lugoj – Timisoara East, related to the objective “Modernization of the line CF Caransebes – Timisoara – Arad”, financed by grants from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Component 4 – Sustainable Transport.

The duration of the contract worth 1.91 billion lei excluding VAT is 42 months, of which 6 months are for design and 36 months for execution of works.

FCC CONSTRUCCION will develop the technical design and perform works for the modernization of the railway infrastructure and superstructure for a maximum speed of 160 km/h on the section LUGOJ – TIMIȘOARA EST (lot 2), length 54.13 km, construction works at the stations Lugoj, Belint, Topolovaț, Recaş and Remetea Mare, at 5 passenger stops, works to modernize works of art – 14 bridges and 39 footbridges, automatic signaling systems at 17 level crossings with the railway, special works for the operation of the railway, and the signaling works with the implementation of the ERTMS system (ETCS level 2 and GSM-R) along the entire route.

In addition, the following utility and railway objectives are included in the works related to the LUGOJ – TIMIȘOARA EST section:

– 5 pedestrian bridges at Lugoj, Belint, Topolovaț, Recaş, Remetea Mare stations;

– two pedestrian paths at the Chizătău and Izvin stops;

– overpass at the Lugozh station (Banatului street);

– sound-absorbing panels with a total length of 6350 m;

– loading and unloading ramps at Lugozh, Belint, Topolovac, Remetya Mare stations.

The Karansebesh – Timisoara – Arad railway line receives funding under the PNRR and is also included in the Investment Plan for the Development of Railway Infrastructure for the period 2020-2030.