{"id":145348,"date":"2024-10-30T19:12:01","date_gmt":"2024-10-30T09:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=57503"},"modified":"2024-10-30T19:12:01","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T09:12:01","slug":"freight-to-be-primary-beneficiary-of-6-billion-euros-in-croatian-investments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=145348","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Freight to be primary beneficiary of 6 billion euros in Croatian investments\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Croatia is planning to invest a record 6 billion euros in its railway infrastructure during the coming decade. Its infrastructure manager, H\u017d Infrastruktura, says that freight will walk away with most of the benefits: a crucial line to Hungary will be upgraded.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>H\u017d Infrastruktura says that it is currently implementing a number of renovation and modernisation projects with its \u201clargest ever investment in railway infrastructure\u201d, most of which is being co-financed with EU funds. These have opened up since the EU\u2019s youngest member joined the union in 2013. And as Brussels ploughs ahead with its shift to sustainable mobility, H\u017d Infrastruktura is making use of what\u2019s on offer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is precisely why H\u017d Infrastruktura is the country\u2019s largest user of EU funds in the transport sector,\u201d the company said. \u201cThere are currently 17 EU projects being implemented, and there are also numerous projects from other funding sources.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
Freight trains parked at Knin, Croatia. Image: Shutterstock. \u00a9 Ajdin Kamber.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Freight to benefit most<\/h2>\n

It just so happens to be that the primary beneficiary of these projects is freight, according to the infrastructure manager. \u201cMost of the capital infrastructure projects are carried out on two international corridors – RH2 corridor that leads from Rijeka, via Zagreb to Budapest, and RH1 corridor that stretches from Slovenia through Zagreb to Serbia. Both corridors are part of the core TEN-T network\u201d, H\u017d Infrastruktura said. \u201cIf we consider that most freight traffic in the country passes through the corridor from Rijeka to Hungary, then we can conclude that they\u201d, that is, Croatia\u2019s 18 rail freight operators, \u201cwill benefit the most.\u201d<\/p>\n

The investments are extensive, and will overhaul Croatia\u2019s entire rail network. \u201cThere is almost no kilometre of railway lines that is not in some stage of reconstruction – either preparation of documentation, bidding for works or execution of works. Many projects have already been completed\u201d, the infrastructure manager explains. It is also working to roll out ERTMS.<\/p>\n