Improvements to some railway lines are being delayed by years, inspectors warn. Costs increase even twice as much | iRADIO
The Supreme Audit Office was examining the financing of repairs to some railway lines. Some projects are delayed for years, he said, causing costs to rise. However, the reason for the price increase is also modifications in individual projects. The office informed about this in Monday’s press release. Costs, according to the ministry, cannot be easily compared. The Railway Administration also objected to the conclusions of the inspection.
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The Supreme Audit Office specifically refers to the middle of the year and how the Ministry of Transport Railway Administration distributed state and European money from 2016 to 2021 for the reconstruction of selected non-corridor railway lines.
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“The Ministry of Transport expects costs of 226.5 billion kroner in 2013 for the reconstruction of 59 priority projects, which are determined to be key for ensuring strategic goals and international obligations,” the Supreme Audit Office said.
“Currently, however, the amount of 441 billion crowns is calculated, i.e. 95 percent higher. Only 9 of the 39 defined projects were completed within the set deadline, i.e. not even a quarter,” he added.
The inspectors pointed out that the delay also affects the trans-European transport network projects.
“The lines on the main trans-European network are to be modernized by 2030. This is, for example, the route Brno – Přerov and Prague – Kladno with a connection to Václav Havel Airport Prague. Their modernization was supposed to start by 2020. However, as late as January 2022, the projects (with the exception of the reconstruction of the Negrelli viaduct) were still being prepared.”
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Completion of the Prague – Kladno line with a connection to Václav Havel Prague Airport has been pushed forward by four years to 2029. “The modernization of the Brno – Přerov line is to be completed in 2031. Compared to the original plan, with a six-year delay,” the inspectors added.
According to the authority, the costs of modifying some tracks are growing by tens of billions. However, the reason is not only the delay, but also changes in projects – for example, a change in the technical solution of excavated tunnels or the creation of new underpasses.
“Given the 95 percent increase in the cost of implementing priority projects, there is a risk to the Supreme Audit Office that it will not be able to raise enough money to complete all these projects,” the auditors warn.
Comparing the incomparable?
According to the Ministry of Transport, many external factors, such as administrative procedures and subsequent project changes, are delaying the repair.
The Railway Administration also objected to the criticism of the Supreme Audit Office, as it does not consider it relevant to compare the current total investment costs with the estimate from the conceptual material from 2013.
“This gives the impression of a disproportionate increase in costs during the entire project preparation process. At the same time, the overall scope of the projects arose only from a specific solution and accentuated the current costs in the given period, which take into account real price growth and other influences, such as inflation. In addition, in a number of cases, the scope of construction modifications, which must be carried out in the final solution, has been significantly expanded,” said the Railway Administration. According to her, the controllers were comparing the incomparable.
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