Ukraine’s finance ministry confirmed on 10 November that construction of a 1,435 mm European-standard railway from the Polish frontier to Lviv will commence early 2026. The announcement, carried by United24 Media, follows talks between Deputy Finance Minister Oleksandr Kava and the American Chamber of Commerce in Kyiv.
Project details: The new line, co-funded up to 50 % by the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility, will stretch roughly 80 km from the Medyka/Shehyni crossing to Lviv’s central station. It will integrate with existing Polish PKP tracks, allowing through-running passenger and freight services without bogie changes.
![Ukraine Confirms EU-Gauge Rail From Polish Border to Lviv Will Break Ground in 2026]()
Why it matters to Poland: Lviv is already Poland’s top overland leisure destination; a seamless rail link could cut Warsaw–Lviv journey times to five hours and divert traffic from congested road borders. Polish logistics firms anticipate back-loading of west-bound humanitarian and automotive cargos, boosting utilisation rates.
Business and mobility implications: Once operational (target 2028), the line will support high-speed passenger services and facilitate EU-norm freight wagons, benefiting Polish exporters of machinery, chemicals and consumer goods. It also aligns with Poland’s own Rail Baltica and Central Transport Hub strategies, potentially positioning Warsaw as the main hub for east-west Eurasian rail traffic.
Next steps: A bilateral working group will finalise border-station design by Q2 2026. Environmental assessments begin next month; Poland’s Infrastructure Ministry has pledged to expedite permitting on its side. Companies planning plant relocations or cross-border commuting should track tender notices for rolling-stock procurement and station upgrades.
Project details: The new line, co-funded up to 50 % by the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility, will stretch roughly 80 km from the Medyka/Shehyni crossing to Lviv’s central station. It will integrate with existing Polish PKP tracks, allowing through-running passenger and freight services without bogie changes.
Why it matters to Poland: Lviv is already Poland’s top overland leisure destination; a seamless rail link could cut Warsaw–Lviv journey times to five hours and divert traffic from congested road borders. Polish logistics firms anticipate back-loading of west-bound humanitarian and automotive cargos, boosting utilisation rates.
Business and mobility implications: Once operational (target 2028), the line will support high-speed passenger services and facilitate EU-norm freight wagons, benefiting Polish exporters of machinery, chemicals and consumer goods. It also aligns with Poland’s own Rail Baltica and Central Transport Hub strategies, potentially positioning Warsaw as the main hub for east-west Eurasian rail traffic.
Next steps: A bilateral working group will finalise border-station design by Q2 2026. Environmental assessments begin next month; Poland’s Infrastructure Ministry has pledged to expedite permitting on its side. Companies planning plant relocations or cross-border commuting should track tender notices for rolling-stock procurement and station upgrades.
