The rail infrastructure manager of Bulgaria, NRIC, has signed a contract for design and construction of Dabova Mahala – Sratsimir section part of the project “Modernisation of Vidin – Sofia railway: Medkovets – Sratsimir section.
The contract has been signed with ZHP Medkovets- Sratsimir consortium comprising GBS – “Infrastructure Construction” AD and Duigu Taahhüt Ve Inshaat. BGN 600 million (EUR 290 million) is the value of the contract under which construction activities on the site are expected to begin in 2026. The contract implementation period is 38 months, divided into two stages: the design stage will last for 9 months, and the construction stage will be implemented in 28 months (around two years).
The modernisation of the section covers about 31 km of a single, electrified railway line. It is planned to build new facilities – overpasses, underpasses, culverts, as well as three new railway stations in Dabova Mahala, Vodnyantsi and Sratsimir.
Following the modernisation of Mahala – Sratsimir rail section, route will allow speeds of up to 160 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for freight trains, compared to the current 70 km/h.
The Dabova Mahala – Sratsimir section is part of the fast railway line that will connect Bulgaria with Western Romania and Greece, passing through the Sofia transport hub. The implementation of the project will eliminate one of the problematic sections of the European railway network in Southeast Europe, which currently does not meet the technical standards for passenger and freight transport.
The object “Modernisation of the Vidin – Sofia railway line: Dabova Mahala – Sratsimir section “, as part of the project “Modernisation of the Vidin – Sofia railway line: railway section Medkovets – Sratsimir”, and is co-financed with funds from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
The Vidin – Sofia railway line is among the most important railway connections in the country with great regional and economic importance. The project envisages the construction of a fast railway that will serve the population, domestic and international freight traffic. Its implementation will ensure interoperability of the railway infrastructure, safe operation of equipment and control systems, comfort and speed of travel for passengers, as well as connectivity with European railway networks through the application of unified standards. From a national perspective, the project is of exceptional importance for the economic development of the Northwestern region of Bulgaria.
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