Croatia’s Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, HŽ Infrastrukture, and the authorities of Zadar County have signed a cooperation agreement for the development of the Zadar railway network.
The project involves linking Zadar Airport with the Port of Gaženica and the city centre, and integrating the industrial zones of Crno, Poličnik and Škabrnja, as well as the Biljane Donje Waste Management Centre, with the existing railway network.
“Zadar County has demonstrated its readiness to embrace new trends in transport organisation and social infrastructure development. The Government and the relevant ministry are actively investing in the modernisation of the railway network, and such projects are vital for the balanced development of all parts of Croatia,” said Žarko Tušek, State Secretary for Railway Infrastructure.
The agreement was signed on 13 October 2025 during the Croatia on the Move conference, held at the Innovation Creative Industries Centre in Zadar and organised by Zadarski list. The conference showcased a range of major infrastructure projects that will, in the coming years, significantly improve the transport connectivity of Zadar County and the whole of Dalmatia.
The agreement sets out the framework for developing the Zadar railway network, making Zadar “the first city in Croatia to link its city centre with the airport,” said Josip Bilaver, Prefect of Zadar County.
Under this plan, local authorities will be responsible for preparing feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments and all necessary documentation required to obtain the location permit. Once this documentation has been completed, it will be handed over to HŽ Infrastrukture, which will then launch a tender for the design and construction works.
The plan for the development of the Zadar railway network includes the reconstruction and expansion of railway infrastructure across the county, the construction of a rail link connecting Zadar Airport with the Port of Gaženica and the city centre, and the integration of the industrial zones of Crno, Poličnik and Škabrnja, as well as the Biljane Donje Waste Management Centre, into the existing railway system.
According to current estimates, construction of the rail connection between Zadar Airport and Gaženica is expected to begin within the next three to three and a half years, with the project valued at around EUR 30 million. During the same period, work is also planned on the Bibinje Tunnel, an investment worth more than EUR 90 million.
In 2026–2027, the Zadar railway network will be operated by battery-powered trains manufactured by Končar.
Meanwhile, HŽ Infrastrukture will soon sign a contract for the modernisation of Zadar railway station. In addition, the study documentation for the Bibinje rail bypass has been completed, and the Ministry of the Economy is expected to issue a decision approving the environmental impact study. This will be followed by “the preparation of the conceptual design and the obtaining of the location permit,” said Ivan Kršić, President of the Management Board of HŽ Infrastrukture.
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