Rail Infrastructure Projects in Croatia and Slovenia

The projects in Croatia aim to modernize the rail network and align it with European standards. Approximately 55% of Croatia’s railway lines are crucial for international transport, making these upgrades essential. The investment plan for the next 10-12 years amounts to €6.5 billion, with the majority of the funding coming from EU grants. HŽ Infrastruktura, the manager of railway infrastructure in Croatia, is currently overseeing 19 large projects that will significantly transform rail transport in the country. These projects focus on enabling an attractive, fast, safe, and economically competitive transport service and strengthening multimodal transport. The majority of these infrastructure projects are in progress on two key corridors: the Mediterranean corridor, which spans from the northern Adriatic port town of Rijeka, through the Croatian capital Zagreb, and onwards to Hungary's capital, Budapest, and the corridor that stretches from the Croatian border with Slovenia to the border with Serbia. Both corridors are integral parts of the primary Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). 

Slovenia has also been investing in its rail infrastructure to enhance connectivity within the country and beyond. Slovenia’s rail developments align with broader European efforts to create an efficient and interconnected rail network. The most important project in Slovenia is building the second track of the Divača-Koper railway line for a modern and efficient railway connection of the cargo port of Koper to the railway network in Slovenia. The new line (together with the current line) is designed for a capacity of 212 trains per day and a transport capacity of 36.9 million tonnes per year. 

Both Croatia and Slovenia are part of the EU’s vision for a Trans-European high-speed rail network and a Trans-European network of conventional railways. These networks aim to facilitate seamless travel across borders and promote rail as a sustainable mode of transportation.