Maribor-Graz rail upgrade to be completed in six years
The implementation agreement signed by the Slovenian Infrastructure Agency and the Austrian Transport Ministry refers to the 15-kilometre section between Slovenia's second largest city Maribor and Šentilj on the border with Austria.
The section is a crucial part of the Adriatic-Ionian corridor and a lifeline for the Koper port, which is one of the main ports for Central European countries, including Austria.
The section is currently not compliant with interoperability standards, which is creating problems for cargo trains, the head of the Infrastructure Agency, Damir Topolko, told the press today.
The first phase of the overhaul, from 2017 to 2019, will involve taking care of level crossings, which is expected to increase capacity to 84 trains per day from 60.
In the second phase, due by 2022, a bridge and a tunnel will be built.
The aim is to reduce travel time between Maribor and Graz from almost 70 minutes to 45, and increase tonnage capacity.
The project, valued at EUR 190, will mostly be funded from the Slovenian budget, but the government is also counting on securing EUR 80m from EU cohesion policy funds.
The upgrade will be carried out on the existing single-track route, while a second track is planned for the future depending on demand.
Austria does not plan on upgrading its part of the section since it is up to standard.
According to Thomas Spiegel, an Austrian Transport Ministry representative, investments will be carried out as needed.