Slovakia has completed the project to modernize the Zilina railway junction, which involved upgrading 14 km of east-west lines and 2.3 km of north-south lines.
“Thanks to the modernization of the Zilina railway junction, passengers now benefit from a fast, safe, and comfortable railway line from Bratislava to Žilina and beyond. Improving the railway infrastructure is a priority for us, and this represents a huge leap forward in terms of service quality. We are delighted that the Zilina junction has been completed and I am convinced that it will serve passengers very well,” said Jozef Ráž, Slovak Minister of Transport.
As part of the work, the tracks were replaced and new underground passages equipped with escalators and elevators were built, providing passengers with barrier-free access to the six renovated platforms and an easier route from the station to the sports stadiums. The extension and heightening of the passage on Kysucká Street has also significantly improved the connection between travelers in the Kysuce region and the city of Zilina.
ETCS installation and station modernization
“A new traffic control section has also been set up in Zilina, which will serve as the core of the future dispatch center. We have introduced modern safety technologies into operation, and the modernization also includes the installation of the ETCS Level 2 system, which will significantly increase traffic safety,” added Miroslav Garaj, General Director of Slovak Railways (ŽSR).
In addition to infrastructure upgrades, the Zilina railway junction modernization project also included the modernization of four stations, including the marshalling yard.
Although the railway section of the project is complete, road infrastructure work around the station will continue. The completion of the new road overpass, which will significantly relieve traffic congestion in the extended center of Žilina, is planned for the end of 2026.
The work was carried out by Združenie pod Dubňom, and the total contract value was EUR 318 million, co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
OHLA ŽS was selected as a subcontractor, responsible for the reconstruction of the nearly 5 km long Žilina–Varín section, which also included the Váh secondary line, ensuring the connection with the entry, exit, and transit lines of the Zilina railway junction.
The company also carried out work on bridge structures, ground structures, cable ducts, utility networks, and power supply technologies.
The aim of the project was to improve the technical infrastructure and bring it into line with the standards set out in the AGC (European Agreement on Main International Railway Lines) and AGTC (European Agreement on Important International Combined Transport Lines and Related Facilities) agreements. The project also complied with the requirements of the TSI – Technical Specifications for Interoperability of Systems. In addition to the technical upgrades, the works were essential for the transition to more economical AC traction (25 kV, 50 Hz) and for the introduction of dispatching control on the upgraded sections.
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