Think Railways

The tender for the construction of a second track and the reconstruction of the 38.2 km Dugo Selo-Krizevci railway line section has been postponed for the second time, the Croatian state-owned railway infrastructure manager HZ Infrastruktura announced.

Two companies submitted offers: OHL and a Swietelsky - lead consortium formed of several Croatian companies, including state owned company Pružne građevine. According to the local press, the offer of the Spanish contractor was considered too high, with HRK 300 million over the estimated value of the contract, while in the case of the second offer a conflict of interests has occurred since HZ Infrastruktura is the shareholder of Pružne građevine.

The tendering process will be restarted in four months. Works will include the reconstruction of the existing stations Dugo Selo, Vrbovec and Krizevci and pertaining stops, construction of a new station, Gradec, removal of level crossings and construction of grade-separated crossings with roads, upgrade of the fixed electric traction installations and modernisation of signalling and interlocking and telecommunication equipment.

The total value of the project is estimated at EUR 198 million, with the European Regional Development Fund contributing roughly EUR 168 million. The project is included in the Transport Operational Programme 2007 – 2013.