The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved the extension of a fast tram project in the city of Lviv signed in 2013. The original project was designed to connect the main residential area of Sykhiv, which has a population of almost 150,000, with the city centre of Lviv by a designated tram route.
The additional funds pledged by the EBRD are essential for the rehabilitation of a sewerage infrastructure under Chervonoyi Kalyny Avenue and the Khutorivka street bridge, which both represent significant bottlenecks for the fast tram project. The funds will also be used for the construction of a new access ramp, which will provide a safe “left turn” facility from Khutorivka Street to the northbound carriageway of Chervonoyi Kalyny Avenue.
The original loan of €6 million provided by the EBRD and a parallel investment grant of €5 million from the German Ministry for the Environment in 2013 were aimed at the development of the urban tram network in the city of Lviv. It was designed to improve the reliability and efficiency of ecologically friendly, electric public transport and promote its use, thus significantly reducing the level of fuel emissions from cars.
The EBRD is the largest international financial investor in Ukraine. As of 15 December 2015, the Bank had a total cumulative commitment of over €11.7 billion in 354 projects throughout the country.
