POLAND: A consortium of Pöyry and DB International has begun detailed design for a rail link between central Katowice and the city's international airport at Pyrzowice.

The design phase runs to May 2011, with Pöyry's share of the contract awarded by rail infrastructure manager PKP PLK at the end of September being valued at €7·5m and DB International's share worth €5·2m. The EU Cohesion Fund is meeting 85% of the cost, and the Polish government the remainder.

The 38 km route will have stations at Katowice Zaeze, Chorzów Batory, Chorzów ul 3-go Maja, Bytom Rozbark, Piekary Slaskie and the airport. Around 30 km of new track will be needed from Bytom, and opening is planned for 2014.