Lviv region is to become one of the key transport hubs between Ukraine and the countries of the European Union. To this end, the region is already preparing and implementing a number of infrastructure projects, and discussing with businesses the conditions for the European integration of the transport sector.
One of the main projects is the construction of a European-gauge railway on the Mostyska II – Sknyliv route. For the first phase of this initiative, the European Commission has provided €73.5 million in grant support. The implementation of the project is intended to bring Lviv closer to the European rail network and, in the longer term, create a major transport hub combining rail and air connections.
There are also plans to fully launch the Nyzhankovychi – Khyriv – Smilnytsia route and subsequently extend the European-gauge line to Uzhhorod. This will open an additional transport corridor through the Carpathians and help reduce pressure on other border crossing points on Ukraine’s border with the EU.
In parallel, around 62 km of the M-09 Lviv – Rava-Ruska motorway are being modernised. This road is one of the key corridors towards the Polish border, leading to the Rava-Ruska – Hrebenne checkpoint and forming part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
Together with local communities in Lviv region, a feasibility study is being prepared for another large-scale railway project – the Warsaw – Rava-Ruska – Lviv European-gauge line. Local authorities and communities have declared their readiness to co-finance the preparatory works.
Representatives of central government stress that infrastructure development is only part of the tasks within the European integration of the transport sector. New rules are being introduced for Ukrainian carriers regarding safety, working conditions and the technical condition of vehicles. Therefore, the state must not only implement European standards, but also maintain ongoing consultations with businesses so that market participants know in advance the timelines and conditions of changes, have a transition period and access to financial instruments.
These issues were discussed during the Regional Dialogue with Business on the European Integration of the Transport Sector, which took place in Lviv. The event was organised by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, the line ministry and the Ukraine2EU programme.
According to the organisers, Lviv region is already acting as one of Ukraine’s main transport bridges to the EU. The further objective is to make these logistics routes faster and more predictable in both directions: so that Ukrainian goods can more easily access European markets, European investment can flow into Ukraine, and people can cross the border with fewer queues and obstacles.