Croatia launches €620 million railway megaproject

Croatia is set to begin its largest railway infrastructure project to date, with a massive €620 million investment into modernising the Dugo Selo – Novska railway line.

As daily Jutarnji list reports, HŽ Infrastruktura has announced a public tender for the reconstruction and construction of a second track along the 83-kilometre route.

The project is co-financed by the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme (PKK).

Once completed, trains will be able to travel at speeds of up to 160 km/h, significantly improving both safety and efficiency in railway transport, according to HŽ Infrastruktura.

The project includes a full reconstruction of the existing railway and the addition of a second track. Several key stations, including Dugo Selo, Ivanić-Grad, Popovača, Kutina, and Novska, will be upgraded.

(Photo credit: HŽ Infrastruktura)

Additionally, stations such as Deanovec, Moslavačka Gračenica, Lipovljani, Novoselec, and Ludina will be converted into stops or dispatch centres.

Stops at Ostrna, Prečec, Širinec, Voloder, Repušnica, and Stara Subocka will also be renovated. A new stop, Okešinec, will be built, while the Prečec station will be decommissioned.

The project further involves eliminating or upgrading most railway-road crossings, except for key locations in Ostrna, Križ, Lipovica, and Voloder. Modern traffic management and signalling systems will be installed, along with an upgraded electrical infrastructure.

(Photo credit: HŽ Infrastruktura)

The deadline for bid submissions is 8 April 2025, and construction is expected to take five years from the start of work.

According to HŽ Infrastruktura, this major investment is crucial for modernising Croatia’s railway network and strengthening connections with European transport corridors.