ZIDANI MOST-CELJE RAILWAY LINE UPGRADE

The project will improve railway infrastructure on the trans-European core network by removing a bottleneck on the Mediterranean Corridor for railway on the Koper-Divaca-Ljubljana-Pragersko section and the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor in the Graz-Maribor-Ljubljana-Koper/Trieste section. The project upgrades the Celje-Lasko-Rimske Toplice-Zidani Most line including the stations at Celje, Lasko and Rimske Toplice.

The operation will improve axle loads, allowing heavier, more modern trains to operate, fully deploy the European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS), install International Union of Railways (UIC) GC loading gauges and increase maximum train length to 740m. Further improvements include compliance with requirements for passengers with reduced mobility, improved traffic safety, reduced traffic noise and ensuring suitable connections with the wider European network.

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.