The commissioning of the new dual-track Beskydsky Tunnel in Lviv region will remove the existing problems and eliminate “bottlenecks of cargo traffic to Slovakia and Hungary, Acting Chairman of PJSC Ukrzaliznytsia Yevhen Kravtsov has told journalists during an inspection trip to Beskydsky Tunnel.
“If to look at history, this project or, more precisely, the need to build the second tunnel, was caused by an objective necessity, since the old tunnel was built more than 100 years ago, is at the final stage of its operation and requires conservation as soon as possible. And if we leave everything as it is, freight traffic in the direction of Hungary and Slovakia would be extremely complicated. Therefore the tunnel is an objective necessity to ensure freight traffic,” he said.
In addition, according to Kravtsov, the tunnel significantly increases the throughput capacity in this area, as today 47 pairs of trains pass the tunnel, and the new one will accept 100 pairs or more.
“The actuality is that we see a steady growth in traffic volumes in the direction of western border crossings. This is demand from Ukrainian exporters, primarily metallurgists, grain traders, chemists, etc. Moreover, the tunnel is part of the Fifth International Transport Corridor,” he said.
