RAILWAY LINE POLJCANE-SLOVENSKA BISTRICA UPGRADE

The Slovenian Celje-Pragersko railway line is located on the Baltic-Adriatic and Mediterranean Core Network Corridors. The line currently represents a bottleneck in passenger and freight transport due to insufficient load capacity and limited interoperability. The project concerns construction works in the Poljcane station, the Poljcane–Slovenska Bistrica section and the Slovenska Bistrica station. The works cover reconstruction of substructure and superstructure, construction of platforms, grade-separated crossings, underpasses, as well as adjustments of energy, signalling-safety and telecommunication devices.

The project will upgrade the Poljcane-Slovenska Bistrica double-track section with the main objective of increasing the load capacity and improving the interoperability of the railway line.

The pertinence to Annexes I and II of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive, the screening decisions, the EIA and the development consents will be reviewed during appraisal. The project's potential impact on protected areas and species, in accordance with the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) will also be appraised. A modal shift thanks to increased rail-based mobility can be expected (due to increased speed and capacity), thus also decreasing traffic-related greenhouse gas emissions, although to a limited extent. Details will be checked during appraisal.

The Bank will require the promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project have been/shall be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation (Directive 2004/17/EC, or 2014/25/EU where applicable, as well as Directives 89/665/EEC and 92/13/EEC), as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU, with publication of tender notices in the Official Journal of the EU, as and where required.