Plovdiv-Burgas Line

Plovdiv-Burgas Line Renewal, Bulgaria

The Plovdiv–Burgas railway line is part of Corridor VIII of the Trans-European Railway Network. The line is electrified and has a total length of 292 km, of which 139 km are single track and 153 km double track. The design speed of the railway line ranges between 80 and 100 km/h. The entire line is equipped with an automatic train protection system (ATP), ETCS Level 1.

The renewal project, officially launched in September 2011, included the rehabilitation of the line and the modification of curve radii in order to upgrade the line for speeds of up to 160 km/h, in compliance with the standards set by the European Community for the Trans-European Transport Network.

In addition to the development of the operational design, works were carried out on the track system (superstructure and substructure), with the complete replacement of rails, sleepers and switches, as well as on the overhead contact line, sectioning posts and signalling and telecommunications systems.
Furthermore, the modernisation of 19 stations and stops was undertaken through various civil engineering works.

Plovdiv-Burgas line: objectives achieved

• Speed increased up to 160 km/h;
  •    Quality improvement of the freight transport system in Bulgaria, lower railway infrastructure maintenance costs and more business opportunities associated with rail transport;
  •    Reduction of travelling time and better safety conditions;
  •    Improvement of ecological conditions in the project area;
  •    Creation of new jobs in the project area, including people employed directly and indirectly in construction work.