OREANDA-NEWS. December 20, 2010. A proposed 450-kilometer extension of a broad-gauge freight rail line to the Vienna-Bratislava region has the potential to create new jobs and provide economic benefits to four countries, a study commissioned by railways said, reported the press-centre of RZD.

The proposal to extend a rail line that now terminates at Kosice in Eastern Slovakia to the Vienna-Bratislava area was examined by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants in a study made for Breitspur Planungsgesellschaft mbH - a joint venture of four equal partners - OBB, RZD, UZ and ZSR, the national railways of Austria, Russia, Ukraine and Slovakia. "Extension of the 1,520 mm broad-gauge network from Kosice in Eastern Slovakia to Vienna is technically and legally feasible," the study said.

"By creating a non-interrupted and efficient transport chain from Russia, China and other Asian countries to central Europe it will offer a new dimension of time-competitive and environmentally sustainable rail transport in Eurasia." Construction would result in 21,000 new jobs through direct and indirect employment on average. Once the project is operating, an average 8,100 jobs would be created to operate the trains, and another 3,100 to operate terminals and other infrastructure, the study said.

The cost of the new railway to be constructed parallel to an existing narrower gauge line is projected to be 6.3 billion euros. Another 240 million euros will be required for terminals and 130 million euros for rolling stock, the study said. These costs are in line with other European rail projects. "This pre-feasibility study opens the way to take the next step forward. The four railroads, as well as respected state bodies of participating countries, will analyze the results over the next few weeks.

After that, we can consider beginning design work, conducting a detailed environmental impact assessment, choosing an optimal financing model and completing the business plan," Breitspur Management Board said in a statement. Most railroads in Western Europe run on rails 1435 mm apart, while those in Russia and some Eastern European countries use 1520 mm gauge. Extending the broad-gauge rail toward Vienna will permit electrified and thus environmental friendly transport.

The new route could contribute to slice the time to ship high-value goods from Asia to Western Europe to as little as 15 days. Broad-gauge rail can handle heavier goods on each axle and heavier trainloads than narrower gauges, leading to cost savings and more efficient transport.

The study found the broad-gauge extension likely to attract 16 million tons of new freight traffic annually by 2050, with a potential upside to 24 million tons in a best case scenario. More than 30 countries in Western and Central Europe, Central Asia, Russia and the Far East could benefit economically from the extension.