Investments in rail infrastructure will play a key role in Croatia’s economic future as the country is slated to pour some 4.5 billion euros in their modernisation by the year 2030. The funding is part of the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia by 2030, as well as its Recovery Plan for the years 2021-2023.
According to the documents, a total of 750 kilometres of the country’s railways will be upgraded and modernized, making them a more attractive and coveted mobility alternative.
A key pillar of post-COVID economic recovery
The 4.5 billion euros spent on railways will play a crucial part in Croatia’s recovery from the economic impact of COVID-19. A large part of the funds will come directly from the EU and will be used for key transport projects across the country’s territory with the ultimate goal being the revitalization of Croatia’s entire railway network.
But the goal of these investments is not only to provide much-needed economic stimulus but also to make travel by rail a more popular mobility alternative. Upon completion of many of these projects, passenger trains across Croatia will be able to travel at up to 160 km/h while freight trains will have the capacity of travelling at a speed of 120 km/h.
By making trains faster and more efficient, the Croatian government is making good on its environmental commitments as more and more people will opt for travel by rail instead of personal vehicles. In fact, over the last few years, authorities have been putting a greater emphasis on railways as over the course of the last decade, between 2010 and 2019, nearly 1 billion euros were invested in their modernisation and renovation.
Source: TheMayor.EU
