EIB Considers €92 Million Loan for Crucial Croatia-Hungary Rail Link Upgrade

EIB Considers Significant Investment in Croatian Rail Infrastructure

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is currently considering a €92 million loan to support the upgrade of the Križevci – Koprivnica rail section in Croatia. This 42.6-kilometer railway segment is a critical link connecting Croatia to the Hungarian border and forms part of a broader investment valued at €469 million. The proposed EIB contribution falls under the 'Railway Development Framework Loan Croatia', a €900 million initiative approved in 2024, designed to accelerate improvements across Croatia's railway network.

Project Scope and Modernization Details

The comprehensive project, currently underway, involves the modernization of the existing track and the construction of a second line along the Križevci – Koprivnica section. Upon completion, the overall route length from Križevci to the Hungarian border via Koprivnica will be slightly reduced from 43.2 km to 42.6 km. The upgraded line is designed to accommodate trains traveling at speeds of up to 160 km/h, though speeds will be limited to 150 km/h near Lepavina and 100 km/h on the approach to Koprivnica due to urban constraints.

Key improvements include:

• Upgrades to two stations and four stops.
• Construction of a new station and the new Peteranec stop.
• Conversion of Mučna Reka station into a stop.
• Construction of seven bridges, three viaducts, and eight road overpasses.
• Installation of a new traction power facility.
• Complete renewal of signaling and telecommunications systems.
• Capacity to handle 750-meter long interoperable freight trains and 400-meter long interoperable passenger trains.
• Reduction of level crossings by half through grade separation, enhancing safety.

Strategic Importance and Progress

This rail section is a vital component of the international M201 DG – Botovo – Dugo Selo corridor (RH2) and plays an essential role in the wider Rijeka – Zagreb – Budapest route along the Mediterranean TEN-T Corridor. The project aims to significantly enhance north-south connectivity between key Croatian cities and the broader Central European region, leading to shorter travel times, reduced operating costs, and improved reliability for both passenger and freight services. It also aligns with Croatia's long-term climate goals by promoting a shift from road to more sustainable rail transport.

The project is being delivered by HŽ Infrastruktura, Croatia's state rail infrastructure company. A construction contract worth €320.9 million was awarded in March 2020 to Cengiz Insaat Sanayi ve Ticaret AS. Supervision services are provided by a consortium of Centar za organizaciju građenja d.o.o. and DB Engineering & Consulting GmbH under a €5.3 million contract. The project is approximately 75% complete and is expected to conclude by the end of 2025. Notably, a newly built 15-kilometer section between Vojakovački Kloštar and Mučna Reka opened on November 6, 2024, and a new railway track connecting Croatia and Hungary over the Drava River bridge was inaugurated on December 2, 2024.

Funding and Future Outlook

Beyond the potential EIB loan, the project has secured substantial funding through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). A grant agreement signed in October 2016 provided €283.9 million, with 85% co-financed by the CEF and the remainder from Croatia's state budget. This multi-faceted funding approach underscores the strategic importance of the Križevci – Koprivnica rail upgrade in modernizing Croatia's transport infrastructure and strengthening its role within the European transport network. The continued investment is expected to stimulate wider economic activity in the region and facilitate smoother international freight flows.