CROATIA’s infrastructure manager HŽ Infrastructure has launched procurement for what is being described as the country’s largest-ever railway project: a €620m upgrade of the 83km Dugo Selo - Novska line.
Funded by the European Union’s (EU) Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme, the project involves track doubling, rebuilding the existing track, and upgrading several stations along the route, including Dugo Selo, Ivanić-Grad, Popovača, Kutina, and Novska.
A new halt will be added at Okešinec while some smaller stations will be converted to unstaffed halts. The project will also include the removal or upgrading of several level crossings along with updates to signalling and electrical systems.
Once complete, HŽ Infrastructure says trains will be able to travel at up to 160km/h on the upgraded line.
Bids to undertake the five-year project are due by April 8.
Infrastructure investment
Meanwhile, the Croatian government has approved a railway infrastructure management contract with HŽ Infrastructure that runs until the end of 2032.
The agreement allocates over €1.2bn for infrastructure projects, with funding secured in the next three state budgets: €394.2m in 2025, €413.9m in 2026, and €428.4m in 2027.
Croatia’s transport minister and deputy prime minister, Oleg Butković, emphasised the contract's importance for long-term planning, maintenance, modernisation, and investment in the country's railway network.
