Sectoral Operational Programme-Transport (SOPT) is one of seven operational programmes implementing the Community Support Framework (CSF) for years 2004 – 2006. The programme should be considered jointly with the transport part of the programming document for the Cohesion Fund, which both elaborate on the objectives of NDP, establishing priorities, goals and allocations of funds for development of the transport sector in Poland.
This document has been developed in pursuance to the guidelines set forth in Article 18 of the EU Council Regulation No. 1260 dated 21 June 1999 establishing general provisions applicable to the structural funds. It starts with a diagnosis of the transport sector in Poland and comparing the situation in Poland to that of the EU countries.
Sectoral Operational Programme Transport, the transport part of the Cohesion Fund and IROP shall implement a common development strategy in order to achieve a coherent transport system providing for spatial cohesion and interoperability with the European Union systems.
The general objective for Sectoral Operational Programme Transport is to increase transport cohesion of Poland and improve spatial accessibility of Polish cities, areas and regions within EU, with the view to achieve the strategic objective of CSF.
Sectoral Operational Programme Transport has been developed by the Ministry of Infrastructure assisted by potential beneficiaries and in close cooperation with regional authorities and academic circles. During the implementation process SOPT shall be managed centrally by the Ministry of Infrastructure. The implementation arrangements shall provide for extensive participation of the Ministry subordinated entities, which are in charge of railway transport, road industry and the maritime economy. These entities shall carry out implementation of individual projects, leaving in the hands of the Ministry crucial aspects of project selection, control, monitoring, and payment validation and confirmation.
Approximately 1163 mln Euro will be spent on implementing measures within the Sectoral Operational Programme Transport. Projects coming into the scope of the SOPT are to be co-financed by funds allocated by ERDF, in the part managed centrally by the Ministry of Infrastructure. Counterpart financing will come from final beneficiaries and the central state budget. The counterpart financing is at least 25% of the eligible project cost. Nevertheless, due to additional costs of some projects, the share of counterpart financing in many cases is expected to be higher.
Implementation of the SOPT objective shall be achieved by concentration of funds on the following priorities and measures:
1. Priority 1: Balanced development of different transport modes is aimed to develop efficient means of carrying passengers and goods, alternative to the road transport (stimulating development of railway and maritime and intermodal services);
Measure 1.1 Improving railway infrastructure to provide better services between and within agglomerations
Measure 1.2. Improvement of infrastructure providing access to seaports
Measure 1.3. Development of intermodal systems
2. Priority 2: Safer road infrastructure is aimed to improve the safety and quality of road transport operations by increasing the quality of road network (elimination of “black spots”, reconstruction of national roads, construction of bypasses to towns and cities, taking appropriate measures with respect to road safety and traffic management);
Measure 2.1. Construction and reconstruction of national roads
Measure 2.2. Improvement of transit through cities and towns
Measure 2.3. Implementation and monitoring of safety improvement measures
3. Priority 3: Technical support, with the objective to support the SOPT Management Authority.
Measure 3.1. Support for effective SOPT management
Measure 3.2 Information on, and promotion of SOPT
Sectoral Operational Programme TRANSPORT for years 2004-2006, adapted by Republic of Polan and European Commission - download a file .pdf >>