Czech rail infrastructure investment: SFDI plans record spend

The Czech rail infrastructure investment planned for this year has the Czech State Fund for Transport Infrastructure (SFDI) allocating nearly EUR 3 billion (CZK 72.2 billion), the highest annual level compared with previous years, as reported by RailwayPro.

From that total, EUR 823 million (CZK 20 billion) is earmarked for track maintenance. The remaining EUR 2.2 billion is slated for rail modernisation and electrification projects and the renovation of stations. A further EUR 31 million (CZK 750 million) is set aside for measures focused on improving safety at level crossings.

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Prague–Airport–Kladno and the Czech rail infrastructure investment programme

A central item in the Czech rail infrastructure investment package is the 15 km railway line between Prague-Ruzyně and Kladno. As the longest section of the Prague–Airport–Kladno rail project, it is expected to follow a largely new alignment, with straighter curves and electrification supporting operating speeds of up to 145 km/h.

The wider Prague–Airport–Kladno rail project is managed by Správa železnic (SŽ) and is set to be delivered under a PPP model. The 40 km programme is estimated to cost EUR 1.65 billion and includes doubling the existing line between Praha-Veleslavín and Praha-Ruzyně, building a new double-track extension directly to the Václav Havel Airport Prague railway station, and a rail bypass linking the airport with the main Prague–Kladno line—details also reflected on the European Investment Bank (EIB) project page. The project is expected to become operational between 2028 and 2030, with a target journey time of 25 minutes to the airport.

Modernisation, electrification and station renovation beyond Prague

Outside the airport link, the year’s plan also covers modernisation of the section from Plzeň via Nýřany to Chotěšov, which is intended to form part of a modern line connecting western Bohemia with Bavaria. The programme additionally points to the long-planned reconstruction of the Ostrava rail hub.

The investment programme also includes repairs on the last line damaged by the floods in autumn 2024, between Opava and Kravaře.

Track maintenance, junction upgrades and new signalling

Work is due to start on the heavily used Kolín–Kutná Hora section, where the Hlízov junction is intended to remove conflicts between the main Prague–Moravia corridor and services towards Havlíčkův Brod. Alongside this, revitalisation and electrification works are planned to begin on the Nýřany–Heřmanova Huť line, while the Rudoltice–Lanškroun section is set to be equipped with a new signalling system. For related background on Czech rail initiatives connected to the Prague airport link, see Railway Supply.

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