Croatia is continuing its railway infrastructure investment programme by launching a project to modernise a regional line in Krapina-Zagorje.
To this end, the railway infrastructure manager HŽ Infrastruktura has signed a EUR 16 million contract with Pružne građevine for the modernization of the 11-kilometer Hum-Lug–Gornja Stubica line.
The document was signed by the president of HŽ Infrastruktura, Damir Lončarić, and the representative of Pružne građevine, Zvonko Perčin, in the presence of the Minister of Transport, Oleg Butković.
The Hum-Lug – Gornja Stubica line serves the Krapina-Zagorje region and provides important connections to Zagreb. Authorities believe that its modernization represents an important step toward revitalizing the local railway infrastructure and increasing the attractiveness of public transportation in the area.
“The project is part of a broad national railway investment program. The value of ongoing projects currently exceeds EUR 1.5 billion, out of a total plan estimated at EUR 6 billion, with funding largely provided by European funds and support from the European Investment Bank,” stated the Minister of Transport.
Train speeds will increase to 80 km/h
Following the modernization of the Krapina-Zagorje regional line, the maximum operating speed on the line will reach 80 km/h, which will reduce travel times and improve safety and comfort for passengers.
“Of the total project cost, EUR 13 million will be allocated to the actual modernization of the railway, while another EUR 3 million will be invested in the rehabilitation of four bridges and three footbridges,” stated the CEO of HŽ Infrastruktura. He also announced that investments in the railway will continue in the Zagorje region, particularly through the modernization of the Zabok–Budinščina line, for which EUR 200 million will be invested.
Work on the Hum-Lug–Gornja Stubica regional line is scheduled to begin this fall and will take two years to complete. The first phase will include work on the track superstructure, drainage systems, stations, and level crossings. In a later phase, railway buildings could also be modernized.
However, the importance of this line goes beyond strictly technical considerations. The railway is the primary means of transportation for many students from the towns of Gornja Stubica, Donja Stubica, and Stubičke Toplice, who commute daily to schools in Zabok and Zagreb. At the same time, Croatian authorities are preparing other railway rehabilitation projects in the region, including the modernization of the so-called “Kumrovec line” and the Zabok–Krapina–Đurmanec section.
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