Slovenia Completes €1.1 Billion Divača-Koper Double-Track

LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA – A successful test run on March 11, 2026, has confirmed the viability of Slovenia’s new €1.1 billion Divača–Koper double-track railway. The 27.7-km line, of which 75% is comprised of tunnels, will increase network capacity to 212 trains per day. The project is critical for enhancing freight flows from the Port of Koper to hinterland markets.

What Is the Full Scope of This Project?

The project involves a completely new 27.7-km double-track line designed to bypass the existing bottleneck-prone single-track route. A significant engineering challenge, 20.5 km (75%) of the line runs through seven tunnels, the longest of which is over 6.7 km. The upgrade allows for passenger train speeds of 160 km/h and freight train speeds of 120 km/h, reducing the journey time between Divača and Koper from 110 minutes to 30 minutes. The total investment value for the project exceeded €1.1 billion.

Key Project Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Projects?

The Divača–Koper project, valued at over €1.1 billion for 27.7 km of new line, represents a major national investment focused on a specific strategic corridor. For context, this single-project value can be compared to broader national procurement strategies, such as the UK’s new government construction framework, which is valued at £120 billion (€141 billion) over eight years and covers a wide range of public works (Source: Construction News, 2026). While not a direct project-to-project comparison, it highlights that the Slovenian investment constitutes a significant capital outlay concentrated on a single, high-impact rail link, whereas larger economies may bundle infrastructure needs into multi-year, multi-sector frameworks.

Editor’s Analysis

The completion of the Divača–Koper line is a strategic move to capture a greater share of the European logistics market by directly challenging road transport. With the European road freight market valued at over $513 billion and intermodal rail volumes projected to grow 1.25% annually, this capacity expansion makes the Port of Koper a more competitive gateway to Central and Eastern Europe (Source: The Loadstar, Logistics Mgmt). This infrastructure upgrade is less about domestic passenger travel and more about positioning Slovenia as a key player in the EU’s strategic freight corridors, aligning with the broader push for a modal shift from road to rail.

FAQ

Q: What is the main purpose of the Divača–Koper new line?
A: The primary purpose is to eliminate a major bottleneck for freight traffic to and from the Port of Koper, a key Adriatic gateway. By increasing daily train capacity to 212, it aims to shift freight from road to rail and support economic growth for Slovenia and its landlocked neighbours.

Q: How much faster will travel be on the new line?
A: The new route is 17.5 km shorter and reduces travel time by 80 minutes, from 110 minutes down to just 30 minutes. Passenger trains can reach speeds of 160 km/h, more than double the previous maximum of 75 km/h.

Q: When will the line be fully open for commercial traffic?
A: While the successful test run occurred on March 11, 2026, the official date for the start of full commercial passenger and freight services has not been disclosed by the project company, 2TDK.