Czech Minister of Transport Ivan Bednárik and the CEO of the Czech railway infrastructure manager Správa železnic (SŽ), Tomáš Tóth, have officially launched the modernisation works on the first phase of Plzeň–Germany railway, between the regional capital Plzeň, Nýřany and Chotěšov.
The contract is worth EUR 185.4 million (CZK 4.49 billion) and will be carried out by PORR, Elektrizace železnic Praha and Berger Bohemia.
The implementation of the ERTMS system is co-financed by the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) under the 2021–2027 programming period, while the national contribution is provided by the State Fund for Transport Infrastructure.
The heavily used suburban railway line will be electrified, while the stations at Vejprnice and Nýřany, as well as the Tlučná halt, will undergo complete modernisation. The works form part of a broader project to develop a modern railway connection linking Plzeň with Bavaria, Germany, via Domažlice, and are scheduled for completion within two years.
Contractors will modernise and electrify 12.3 km of railway, while all stations included in the project will be upgraded to provide passengers with more convenient access to train services. At Nýřany, step-free access will be ensured through a new pedestrian underpass equipped with lifts.
Minister of Transport of Czechia,Ivan Bednárik
During the launch ceremony held on 3 June 2026, the Minister of Transport stated that the project confirms the authorities’ commitment to investing in railway lines of the greatest importance for regional and international mobility.
“We are delivering on our promises and starting the modernisation of railway lines where investment makes the greatest sense. This also applies to the railway towards Domažlice, which serves both international traffic to Bavaria and daily commuting to the regional capital. Residents will soon travel on electric trains that are more comfortable and quieter. The line is also important for rail freight transport, as there is currently only one high-capacity electrified border crossing with Germany,” said Ivan Bednárik.
Plzeň–Germany railway, a strategic corridor to Bavaria
The modernisation will enable the operation of heavier freight trains of up to 740 metres in length. Power supply will also be supported by a new traction power substation being built simultaneously in the Skvrňany district of Plzeň. Operational safety on the Plzeň–Germany railway will be enhanced through the installation of the ETCS European Train Control System.
The project also includes the upgrade of several level crossings. One road crossing and one pedestrian crossing will be replaced by grade-separated underpasses.
“With this investment, we are launching the modernisation of the entire railway connection between Plzeň and Germany. It is one of the priority projects for both passenger and freight transport, while the following sections are already at an advanced stage of preparation. It is important that this priority is recognised on the German side as well and that future phases are closely coordinated in terms of timing,” said Tomáš Tóth.
Construction activities will begin this month. At Vejprnice and Nýřany, redundant tracks will be removed and work on the new underpasses will commence. The existing underpass at Vejprnice will be closed in September, while the level crossing on Havířská Street in Nýřany will cease to be operational from the end of the year.
At the same time, preparations continue for the remaining sections of the project. Authorities are in the final stages of approval procedures for a completely new railway line between Plzeň and Stod, where long-distance trains will be able to operate at speeds of up to 200 km/h. Documentation is also being prepared for the modernisation of the sections between Stod and Domažlice, and between Domažlice and the German border. These works are planned for the next decade and will be coordinated with modernisation and electrification projects being implemented on the German side of the border.
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