UPGRADING WORK IS to start shortly to create a new rail freight corridor through the French region of Lorraine, following the signing of a €125m financing agreement between RFF and the regional council on September 28. The government will provide €62·5m, Lorraine €37·1m and RFF €18·3m.
The 150 km line between Longuyon, Conflans-Jarny, Lérouville and Toul will form part of the north-south ’Eurocorridor’ between Antwerpen, Italy and Spain. It lies to the west of the Thionville - Metz - Nancy main line, which is now carrying up to 250 trains/day in parts.
The upgrading includes double-tracking and the enlargement of four tunnels to UIC B+ loading gauge to accommodate container traffic. Part of the electrified route had been mothballed, but will now be reopened. The cross-border connection between Longwy and Athus in Belgium will also be restored. Work is scheduled for completion by 2006.
