Topping out at the ŁKA Technical Facility building
The construction of the Technical Backup Facilities for the trains of Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna is already half way. The construction of the hall is ready. Works connected with building repair pits for the trains are coming to an end. On 8 April 2014, in the presence of Witold Stępień, the Marshal of the Łódzkie Voivodeship, the investor and the contractor, a traditional topping out was placed on the building.
The Technical Bakcup Facilities of Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna were located in the area of the Łódź Widzew station, taking up 4.5 hectares. In this area, works will be conducted relating to repairs and current maintenance of the carrier's trains.
Applied technological solutions and specialist devices will allow meeting the reliability indicator for trains at the level of 98 percent. The Backup Facility is already called the true gem of the Polish railway industry. The modern pool of Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna and own service center are to guarantee to residents of the Łódzkie Voivodeship comfortable trains, which will travel frequently, punctually, and without technical problems. This will be a new quality of travel - said Witold Stępień, the Marshal of the Łódzkie Voivodeship.
The general contractor of the service facility for ŁKA trains is Trakcja PRKiI S.A. Works on the reinforced concrete hall construction have been completed, the ground was prepared to lay down floors and specialist devices; and two pits for inspections and repairs have been prepared. At the moment, the construction of the last third pit is under way. Works on roof coverage and external walls of the hall consisting of layered plates have been commenced. Along with obtaining further administrative decisions, the construction of the power, water and sewage networks will commence along with the tracks system connecting the backup facility with the Łódź Widzew station. Currently, at the construction site there are six specialist work teams operating, including over 80 persons, using several dozen pieces of construction equipment. As from mid-April, further works will be executed systematically, and the number of workers will be further increased. In place of the current 10-hour working day, a two-shift system will be implemented with work running from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.
As the general contractor of the backup facility for Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna and modernization of the Widzew station, we effectively coordinate works on two large investments performed at the same time. Thanks to this, we minimize any difficulties for residents and passengers - says Roman Przybył, the President of Trakcja PRKiI S.A. We are happy that as the leader of the railway construction market in Poland we simultaneously execute projects connected with handling trains and the infrastructure in the Łódzkie Voivodeship, building modern transport based on railway.
The hall will be 140 meters long and 40 meters wide. Inside, there will be a washroom for vehicles and three inspection and repair tracks. The backup facility will be equipped with specialist devices: underfloor wheel lathe to lathe wheel sets, laser station to measure wheel sets, scales to measure the pressure, a trapdoor, and stations for: deicing, sanding, and watering. The investment meets the high requirements in the scope of environmental protection and employee safety.
The Backup Facility of the Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna will be the most modern service centre for trains in Poland. It has been six months since the construction was started. Works are in line with the schedule or even exceed it - stated Andrzej Wasilewski, the President of Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna Sp. z o.o.
Completion of the investment is planned for 28 September 2014.
The value of the investment is PLN 55 245 333. The backup facility is performed within the scope of the project entitled "Construction of the Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna System” cofinanced with EU funds.
Media Information
Robert Kuczyński
communications manager
