Modernization Okučani–Novska Section
DB International and the Croatian partner signed contract in Zagreb
DB International GmbH and the Croatian partner GRANOVA d.o.o. signed the contract for construction supervision for the EU IPA-financed project “Line Rehabilitation and Upgrade of the Okučani–Novska Section” on 3rd July 2012 with HŽ Infrastruktura d.o.o..
After signing the contract – Ambassador Paul Vandoren, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Croatia, Darko Peričić, Board President of HŽ Infrastruktura d.o.o., Valeriano Salciccia, Representative of SALCEF, and Niko Warbanoff, Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors DB International GmbH f.l.t.r. (photo: Boris Kovačev/Cropix)
Rehabilitation and modernization of the Okučani–Novska Section
The Okučani–Novska section on the M105 Novska–Tovarnik–State Border main line is a part of Pan-European Corridor X Salzburg (Austria)–Thessaloniki (Greece) which passes through Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Macedonia. The section Okučani (incl.)–Novska (excl.) is about 20 kilometers long. It was upgraded the last time in the period from 1979 to 1981, after which speeds were established of up to 120 kilometers per hour. Today, due to the poor condition of the track, speeds have been considerably reduced so that operative characteristics are significantly under the level prescribed for main lines. The catenary facilities were partially rehabilitated after the war in 1995. The entire section is by its features a level line.
The works will commence in August 2012 and shall be concluded according to the plan by the end of 2014. After modernization, speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour shall be established, with a designed bearing capacity of 22.5 tons per axle, that is, 8 tons per meter. The reconstruction of the Okučani station will increase the usable length of the track and the entire section will be adjusted to interoperability requirements. The modernization of the signaling-safety and telecommunication devices will ensure a higher level of safety of railway and road traffic at intersections. By increasing speeds, journey times in passenger and freight transport will be reduced and by installing new supporting and track structures, the level of comfort and safety for passengers will be increased.
Transportation Operational Program
Croatia has been using EU financial assistance on the road towards its membership since 2000. The 2007 installed new program IPA (Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance) is directed primarily to the modernization of the railway network and the inland waterway system. The financing in the scope of the Transportation Operational Program is structured in priority directions which encompass several measures focused on individual sectors.
Developing the railway system in Croatia thus promoting the modernization and development of the railway network in Croatia so that it can respond to the increasing demands of railway traffic in the future and which will be in accord with EU technical norms. Investments are focused on Pan-European Corridor X. This priority includes activities in line upgrading and modernization, improving the safety and efficiency of railway operation and preparing projects to be financed at a later date.
The implementation body for all projects under priority is HŽ Infrastruktura d.o.o., and the competent body for the priority/measure and for the Operational Program is the Directorate for Transport Infrastructure of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure.
