Construction of the 2nd railway track between Koper and Divača
TransportSlovenia
Austria, Czechia, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia
Germany, Ukraine
* not part of the 3Seas InitiativeConstruction of the 2nd railway track to assure capacity and reliability of traffic from/to Port of Koper.
Main objectives:
- providing additional capacity;
- reliability of freight transport;
- shortening the way from 45 (existing line) to 28km (new line-second track), that is by 17km;
- shortening travel times from 43-48 minutes (existing line) to 15-21 minutes (new line);
- increasing driving speeds (from the current 50-75km/h for freight trains, 80km/h for passenger trains and 90km/h for tilting trains to up to 160km/h);
- increasing the capacity from 90 to approximately at least 220 trains/day;
- increasing the level of traffic safety;
- enhancing the efficiency of traffic management;
- supplying the economies of Slovenia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary or hinterland countries;
- shortening the way for maritime transport from far East;
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
- preserving or increasing freight transport by rail;
- reducing social costs of transport (EUR/net tonne kilometre);
- significantly increasing the reliability of rail transport;
- easier maintenance of the track.
The story of the Second track Divača-Koper railway line began over 20 years ago. It has been heavily advocated for ever since. Planning one of Slovenia's largest projects is a good practice example. The first version of the track was proposed in 1996. After studying 17 different versions, the current tunnel track was chosen according to the highest criteria regarding the environmental impact, safety, speed, and traffic flow.
The Second track will be a 27.1-kilometre-long new railway line from Divača to Koper, including 8 tunnels, 2 viaducts, 2 bridges and 1 gallery. 20.5 km or 75 % of the line will consist of tunnels.
The purpose of the Second track Divača-Koper:
- Provision of modern and efficient railway link between the cargo port of Koper and existing rail network in Slovenia, and consequently the wider European rail network.
- Ultimate removal of all throughput and transport capacity limitations for railway line from Koper to railway junction in Divača.
- Increased reliability of Divača-Koper railway line.
- Increased traffic safety.
- Shorter travel times.
- Decreased environmental impact and risk.
- Additional increased share of total cargo transported by railway.
- Enabling and increasing the use of environmentally more favourable mode of transport.
- 2017-2021Construction
Milestone 1: Preparatory works
Description: preparatory works including the construction of access roads and bridging of Glinščica valley with 2 bridges and 1 gallery.
- 2020-2024Design
Milestone 2: Construction of the structures (tunnels, bridges, viaducts) of the second track
Design / Tendering.
Description: implementation of 8 tunnels, 2 viaducts and other structures.
- 2023 – 2025Planning
Milestone 3: Catenary, signalling, safety devices, sub-stations and the rest to put the line into operation
Description:
implementation of the superstructure and track devices, Črni Kal sub-station, electrical catenary, signalling-safety devices, telecommunication devices, GSM-R, video-monitoring and safety and power supply.
Description:
a) In its budget the Government of the Republic of Slovenia included in total EUR 501 mio for the project to increase capital of the company 2TDK over the years of construction (in addition to EUR 21 mio already transferred to the company in 2016 and 2018; i.e. in total EUR 522 mio). This capital increase will be carried out successively during the construction period and will be financed through mark-up added to the tolls for heavy goods vehicles.
b) Additional financing will be provided through long term loans:
- EIB approved the project financing in value of 250 mio EUR (15.5.2019);
- Commercial loan contract in value of 112,5 mio EUR (29.5.2020).
c) EU funding is targeted at EUR 250 mio, using the CEF (3 CEF agreements in total value of 154 mio EUR) and ESIF funding (CF in value of 94 mio EUR).
EU funding is of key importance for bankability of the project and closing of financial gap. Additional EU grants are envisaged to be obtained within the next programming period 2021 – 2027.
secured
N/A