Faster trains, new tracks and better infrastructure – this is a brief description of the ambitious project of modernizing railway line no. 201. The works, which will last until 2028, are intended not only to improve travel comfort, but also to shorten the travel time between Tricity and Kashubia.
However, before passengers can use the modern route, they will have to endure several years of disruptions – the complete closure of the Gdańsk Osowa – Somonino section and changes in the organisation of rail and road traffic. What changes await passengers and drivers?
What alternative routes have been prepared for the duration of the renovation? Check out what you need to know before you hit the road!
Scope and schedule of expansion of railway line no. 201
The modernization will cover approximately 28 km of the railway line on the section from Gdańsk Osowa to Somonino . As part of the investment, a second track will be built on the currently single-track section of the route, and the entire line will be electrified .
Stations and stops will also undergo reconstruction and modernization, including those located in Kościerzyna , Somonino and on the route between them. Platforms will be adapted to the needs of people with limited mobility , which will improve travel comfort.
According to the schedule, the works are to last until 2028. After the modernization is completed, it will be possible to launch faster and more frequent connections .
Passenger trains will be able to reach speeds of up to 140 km/h (currently, the maximum speed is 120 km/h , with limits of up to 30 km/h on some sections).
The cost of the investment will exceed PLN 1.5 billion , and its effect will be to shorten the travel time from Tricity to Kashubia by up to a dozen or so minutes . The works have been divided into stages - the first of them began at the end of 2024 , while the main track works will start in the summer of 2025 .
Planned changes in rail traffic during the modernization of railway line No. 201
From July 2025, train traffic on the renovated line 201 – on the Gdańsk Osowa – Somonino – Kościerzyna section – will be completely suspended.
Most likely, from 30 June 2025, the tracks will be taken over by construction teams and regular train connections to Kościerzyna and Kartuzy will be suspended.
This also applies to PKM trains stopping at Rębiechowo and Pępowo Kartuskie , which will temporarily not run.
In order to maintain connections from Kashubia to the Tri-City , passenger traffic will be redirected to the newly built ring line , the so-called Kartuzy bypass .
This route connects Gdańsk Wrzeszcz with Kartuzy via Gdańsk Kokoszki, Stara Piła and Leźno .
In practice, this means that trains from Kartuzy to Gdańsk will run along this route, bypassing the renovated section through Żukowo .
The planned timetable provides for approximately 50 trains per day , which is similar to the current number of connections ( before the renovation, 56 trains ran through Żukowo Wschodnie ).
For the Kościerzyna – Somonino – Kartuzy section, which will also be modernized, substitute communication is planned.
The trains will be replaced by buses running on the Kościerzyna – Somonino – Kartuzy route, and then through Żukowo (including Żukowo Wschodnie), Pępowo, Rębiechowo to Gdańsk .
Thanks to this, residents of all towns where trains stop will still have access to transport. Replacement buses will be coordinated with trains on the bypass ( e.g. in Kartuzy or Żukowo ) to ensure a smooth transfer and continuation of the journey to the Tri-City.
Transport organizers announce that transfers will be organized in a way that minimizes disruptions for passengers , enabling efficient access, for example, to the Gdańsk Strzyża station .
During the renovation , there will be no direct rail connections from Banino to Gdynia via Osowa , which were previously served by some PKM trains.
Passengers travelling towards Gdynia will have to use the bypass to Gdańsk and then change to the SKM to Gdynia or choose other available means of road transport.
Traffic disruptions (planned closures and detours)
The renovation of the railway line means not only the suspension of train traffic , but also temporary difficulties on roads crossing the tracks. In several places, the reconstruction of railway viaducts and crossings is planned, which will affect local car traffic .
The most important expected road disruptions:
Barniewice (Lipowa Street crossing) – Already at the end of March 2025, it is planned to close the crossing under the railway viaduct in Barniewice for about three months . The difficulties will affect drivers traveling between Rębiechowo and Osowa . The only possible detour has been designated , leading through Borowiec and Chwaszczyno . Although the detour route is quite long and in places leads along the dirt surface , road workers announce its leveling in order to ensure smooth travel.
Rębiechowo – Banino (ul. Gdańska) – In the area of Rębiechowo , on the road connecting this place with Banino , the embankment and railway viaduct will be rebuilt . Instead of completely closing the road, a temporary two-way detour will be created , allowing traffic near the work site. Thanks to this, residents of Banino will not be cut off, and traffic will be directed to the temporary road .
Pępowo (ul. Gdańska) – A similar solution will be used in Pępowo . During the construction of the new railway viaduct , drivers will be able to continue to use the current viaduct or a specially prepared detour . This means that local traffic in Pępowo will be maintained , although there may be narrowing of the roadway and speed restrictions in the area of works.
Local authorities emphasise that it is crucial to keep main roads passable and to shorten closure periods as much as possible.
Particularly important are the streets of Gdańska in Rębiechowo, Kolejowa in Banino and Gdańska in Pępowo , which are key communication routes for residents. The Żukowo commune announces close cooperation with PKP PLK to minimize disruptions and prevent traffic paralysis.
Thanks to the use of temporary detours, residents of Banino and the surrounding area will avoid the worst-case scenario, which would be complete cutting off of the town from the main roads .
What are the planned alternative transport solutions for the residents of Banino and neighbouring towns?
During the renovation, residents of Banino and neighboring towns will have to use alternative forms of transport . Here are the most important ones, prepared in cooperation with local government and railway authorities :
Bypass Kartuski railway line - Already in March 2024, a new railway connection was launched on the so-called bypass Kartuzy , which connects Gdańsk Wrzeszcz with Kartuzy via Gdańsk Kokoszki, Stara Piła, Żukowo Zachodnie and Leźno . It is this route that trains will run on during the renovation , bypassing Banino. Residents of Banino can commute to Gdańsk using trains departing from, for example, the Leźno or Żukowo Zachodnie stops . The number of connections is to remain similar to the current one , and the Żukowo commune plans to build or modernize parking lots at selected bypass stops (e.g. Żukowo Zachodnie, Borkowo, Stara Piła, Leźno ) in order to facilitate transfers.
Bus replacement (Kościerzyna – Kartuzy – Żukowo) – On the Kościerzyna–Kartuzy section, bus service will be launched , also serving smaller towns between Kartuzy and the Tri-City. Thanks to this, residents of Goręczyna, Somonino, Ostrzyce, Żukowo, Pępowo and Banino will have access to the nearest active station or transfer hub . The bus timetable will be synchronized with trains , and the replacement transport is to operate throughout the renovation period , i.e. about 3 years .
Local bus lines of the Żukowo commune - The Żukowo commune has launched additional local connections , which will make it easier for residents to reach the bypass station . An example is the new Z14 bus line , which takes residents of Łapin, Widlin, Babi Dół, Przyjaźni and Skrzeszew to the Stara Piła PKP stop . Its schedule has been adjusted to the departures of trains on the bypass - the first run starts at 6:00 a.m. , and the last one arrives before midnight . Additionally, the schedule of the Z11 line has been adjusted to be synchronized with trains from the Leźno station . The commune has obtained government funding , which will allow these connections to be maintained throughout the renovation period and several years after it .
Parking lots and temporary infrastructure – Local authorities are preparing additional parking lots at the stations of the replacement railway route. The creation of a Park & Ride system is planned , among others, in Żukowo Zachodni, Borkowo and Otomin . Additionally, talks are underway to build parking lots in Stara Piła and Leźno . Thanks to this, residents of Banino and the surrounding area will be able to drive to the nearest active station on the bypass and change to a train in the direction of Gdańsk . PKP PLK also announces the installation of clear information and signage , which will make it easier for travelers to find their way around and find the right detours and transfers .
What are the reactions of residents and the position of local authorities regarding the modernization of the railway line to Kościerzyna?
The planned renovation of railway line 201 is causing mixed reactions. On the one hand, residents of Banino and the surrounding area are afraid of difficulties – longer commutes, transfers and increased car traffic.
On the other hand, most understand that the investment is necessary and will bring long-term benefits. Maintaining access to Banino and Pępowo through detours and alternative communication routes were received with relief.
Local authorities declare full support for residents during the renovation period. The Żukowo commune cooperated with PKP PLK at the planning stage to find convenient solutions.
We will be constantly monitoring the situation and responding to the needs of residents , he assured.
Wiesław Pałka from the Municipal Office in Żukowo . The mayor of Żukowo, Mariola Żmudzińska , emphasizes that key railway stops should be maintained also after the modernization is completed.
Despite temporary difficulties, most residents see the benefits of the project – they remember the frequent breakdowns and speed limits on the old route. After the work is completed in 2028 , the line will become a modern main line, and travel through Banino will be faster and more convenient.
Local authorities appeal for patience , emphasizing that the current difficulties are an investment in a better future and a more convenient connection of Kashubia with the Tricity.
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