TRIESTE – The Slovenian government has approved the investment programme for the new parallel track of the Koper-Divača railway line, effectively completing the project for the full double-tracking of the strategic connection serving the port of Koper.
The planned investment for the so-called “third track”, parallel to the one already under construction as part of the second-track project, amounts to 430.2 million euros excluding VAT.
According to the Slovenian government, the new intervention represents the final piece of the major railway infrastructure project launched in 2019 and intended to strengthen the competitiveness of the port of Koper, reduce heavy road traffic and support sustainable mobility. With the completion of the work, the line’s capacity is expected to rise to around 252 trains per day, significantly increasing the logistics potential of the port, a direct competitor of Upper Adriatic ports such as Trieste and Rijeka.
To date, the three longest tunnels have already been built. Two viaducts, one bridge and three shorter tunnels still have to be completed. Until the double-tracking is completed, rail traffic will run on the new track and on the old 1967 line, which, due to its deterioration, is increasingly inadequate for traffic requirements.
At the same time, the government approved a new recapitalisation of the public company 2TDK, which is responsible for implementing the project. The capital increase amounts to a total of 35.14 million euros: 13.39 million comes from the motorway surcharge collected in 2025, while a further 21.75 million represents the final tranche of recapitalisation for the new parallel track. After the new recapitalisation, the company’s capital will rise to 533.48 million euros.
The funds will be used to continue design work, obtain integrated building permits and prepare the start of construction.
Slovenia has also confirmed that it has ruled out the possibility of other states participating in the financing and ownership of the railway infrastructure. According to the government, this choice is intended to avoid, in the long term, additional financial burdens linked to any foreign shareholders in 2TDK.