Ljubljana - The consortium led by Slovenian builder Kolektor CPG has been selected for the second section of the new railway between Koper and Divača after it had already won the contract for the first section as the only bidder left.

The selection of the bidder for the section between Koper and Črni Kal, which the Kolektor-led consortium is offering to build for EUR 224.7 million, was endorsed on Wednesday by the supervisory board of 2TDK, the state-owned company managing the rail project, based on the management's decision.

Kolektor CPG, partnering with the Turkish companies Yapi Merkezi and Özaltin, will thus build the entire section of the new railway, at the combined cost estimate of EUR 628.3 million.

Its cost estimate for the section between Divača and Črni Kal was just over EUR 403.6 million, which made it the cheapest bidder.

The cost for the section was capped at roughly EUR 472 million, and that for the second section at EUR 230.7 million.

The selection of the bidder for both sections can still be appealed.

Pavle Hevka, 2TDK director-general, told reporters last week that a ceremony to sign the contract with the selected bidder was planned at the end of this month or early next month.

The railway's construction is slated for completion in 2025, with the track to be opened to traffic the next year.

The 2TDK supervisory board also endorsed the selection of Mind Inženiring from Ormož to carry out investment oversight of the project for EUR 1.8 million.