The modernization of railway infrastructure toward ports in northwestern Russia, due to be completed this year, will increase capacity to 20 million tonnes, Belarusian Railways Deputy Head Uladzimir Bytskevich told Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
“In order to expand and ensure the unhindered movement of Belarusian export cargoes, including those transported under Belarusian-Russian intergovernmental agreements, Belarusian Railways and Russian Railways are modernizing sections of infrastructure toward ports in the northwestern region of the Russian Federation. After all work is completed in 2026, the carrying capacity of Russian railway infrastructure sections will make it possible to transport at least 20 million tonnes of cargo per year from Belarus in this direction,” he said.
Belarusian Railways and Russian Railways also plan to launch passenger trains on the Vitebsk–Smolensk and Orsha–Smolensk routes starting in April. Russia’s Central Suburban Passenger Company has already carried out a test run on the Smolensk–Vitebsk route via the Zaolsha station, using a two-car RA-3 diesel train.
The report also outlines parameters of the planned Minsk–Moscow high-speed rail line, to be called Soyuz. The line will be 715 km long, with trains capable of reaching speeds of up to 400 km/h. Preliminary estimates suggest that 21 high-speed trains will be required to operate regular services.