The new Divača-Koper line will be open for traffic (albeit only test runs) as of Monday, 9 March. “Several measurements will be carried out during the planned period with a train equipped with appropriate measurement equipment” until 11 March, 2TDK, the company in charge of the infrastructure, said.
The need for these tests stems from the fact that most of the line is now ballastless. In other words, the tracks are not laid on a bed of rocks (ballast), but rather on a flat slab track system called RHEDA 2000 implemented by ŽGP Ljubljana. Since this is the first project where a slab track is used for such a lengthy section, “it makes sense to carry out such measurements”, 2TDK explained.
The tests will measure operational safety when it comes to derailment coefficient and lateral acceleration, which will help the company to determine operating conditions. In theory, the new Divača-Koper line, which will provide an upgraded and modern rail connection to one of the most important ports on the Adriatic. The expected opening date of the new infrastructure, which will be a single track line, is 31 March.
Second track coming too
One and a half years ago, the Slovenian government decided it will build another track, mostly running parallel to the one that will open at the end of the month. The construction of the new line should start this year and end in 2030. This process is expected to be a little easier than building the first track, as many of the service tunnels already excavated will become part of the second track.
After that, the current 60-something year old railway leading to the port of Koper will be replaced by a double-track capable of handling 36 million tonnes of freight every year. Rail freight is already a big part of Koper’s logistics operations. After a small dip in 2024, the modal share went back over 50% last year.
