Modernization of a tramway line Nová Ruda – Vratislavice, Výhybna – a test run on the reconstructed line

April 15, 2015

The test run on the reconstructed line was very successful and trams are running to Vratislavice once again.

The modernization and reconstruction is being carried out by a consortium of COLAS CZ, COLAS RAIL and IDS Olomouc. The project amounting to CZK 286 million (two contracts in total), is the largest investment of the Liberec transport company in the last few years. A three-kilometer section between Nová Ruda and Výhybna in Vratislavice has been under reconstruction since last March. At the same time, a one-kilometre section Měnírna - Brandl u Jablonce is under renovation. The line was last reconstructed between 1973 and 1975. It was to serve temporarily until 1990, when the line was to be cancelled. Thanks to the current reconstruction, another double-line section has been added to the route, the tracks were separated from road transport and traffic lights will be installed at all critical crossroads after the completion of work. The line should also be less dangerous for pedestrians because a railing and green belts prevent access to the tracks.

The thirteen-month closure of the tramway line between Liberec and Vratislavice nad Nisou is a thing of past. The first tram went on the line on Wednesday, 15 April at 4 a.m. A test run on the eve of the restored operation on the newly reconstructed sixty-year-old intercity line was attended by Mayor Tibor Batthyány and Tomáš Kysela, deputy for technical management of the town's property.