The project will upgrade and construct 18.2 km of railway track between Maribor and Šentilj in Slovenia, to ensure greater freight-carrying capacity, reduce travel times and increase safety. The Maribor Tezno, Maribor, Pesnica and Šentilj stations will be upgraded, as will the Cirknica stop. The Košaki stop will no longer be used. In addition, the Šentilj tunnel will be reconstructed and the Pekel tunnel built. Culverts, supporting walls, an overpass, underpass and existing subway will be reconstructed or refurbished.
- 05 June 2019
The project involves constructing the Pesnica viaduct, retaining walls along the railway line and along roads, 9.5 km of new roads and 12.3 km of noise barriers. Six levels crossings will be done away with and another two replaced by an overpass. The modernised railway line is scheduled to be operational in 2023.
Problems on the existing Maribor-Šentilj line are the constant remedial work needed on the Počehova tunnel and the unstable embankment through the Pesnica Valley, which requires regular monitoring. These issues add to maintenance costs, which are growing.
The project will increase the number of trains running between Maribor and Šentilj from 67 to 84 per day which takes account of increases in traffic volumes to 2039 upgrade the track category between Maribor and Šentilj and increase transport safety by building traffic crossings at different heights.
It is estimated that the upgrade will reduce travel times by 1.72 minutes for passenger trains and by 5.97 minutes for freight trains. The introduction of remote traffic control measures will ensure more efficient traffic management. Noise levels will be reduced. Ultimately, the project is expected to help prevent the shift of freight transport from rail to road.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Upgrading of the existing rail track on the Maribor-Šentilj-national border section” is EUR 208 526 127, with the EU’s Cohesion Fund contributing EUR 166 164 117 through the “Slovenia” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Transport and energy networks”.