A conference titled Connected Croatia: Greening Mobility; jointlyorganized on Thursday by the EIB, JUTARNJI LIST, and Hanza Media,laid out ambitious plans for an expansive renovation of Croatia's regionaland local railway network – and more specifically, the projects willinvolve the refurbishment of 337 kilometers of railway tracks, numerousrailway stations, and associated signal and safety systems.Among the targeted routes for reconstruction is the “Podravska” mainline, stretching from Osijek and passing throughNasice, Caglin, and Virovitica to ultimately reach Cakovec. Sections between Karlovac to Mahicno and Zabok to Krapina arealso on the list for an overhaul. A significant number of stations, such as Virovitica, Sesvete, and the Main Station in Zagreb, areslated for comprehensive renovation as well.Ivan Krsic, the President of the Board of Hrvatske zeljeznice Infrastruktura (HZ infrastruktura), confirmed at the conferencethat these renovation projects could commence expeditiously as they do not require construction permits. These works areexpected to span around five years and will be principally funded through a new loan agreement that the Croatian Governmenthas negotiated with the EIB.“We are initiating the refurbishment of 70% of regional and local railways. We have entered into a new loan arrangement ofEUR 900 million with the EIB, primarily because these specific renovation works do not qualify for European Union funding;noted Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Oleg Butkovic, explaining the financial mechanics of these projects at theconference. he also further emphasized that Croatia is currently utilizing EU funds and loans to finance its overall transportinfrastructure to the tune of EUR 3.5 billion. (ICE ZAGABRIA)

Fonte notizia: Jutarnji list, 27.10.2023.