Croatia Tenders Lowland Railway Consultancy Contract

Why It Matters

The project strengthens Croatia’s role in key TEN‑T corridors, boosting freight capacity and regional connectivity while the alliance model could set a new standard for large infrastructure procurement in the country.

Key Takeaways

• €1.5m consultancy tender for Lowland Railway sections.
• New double‑track line designed for 160 km/h speeds.
• Alliance model introduced, first in Croatia.
• Line reduces Zagreb‑Rijeka rail distance by 56 km.
• Six stations, 17 viaducts, 14 tunnels required.

Pulse Analysis

The Lowland Railway, spanning 174.7 km from Zagreb to the Adriatic port of Rijeka, is a cornerstone of Croatia’s ambition to integrate more tightly into the European rail network. By linking the Mediterranean, Baltic‑Adriatic and Western Balkans‑Eastern Mediterranean TEN‑T corridors, the line promises to streamline freight flows between Central Europe and the North Adriatic, potentially attracting new logistics hubs and stimulating regional economic growth. Its design speed of 160 km/h and capacity for 750‑metre freight trains will make it competitive with road transport, supporting the EU’s shift toward greener mobility.

HŽ Infrastructure’s €1.5 million consultancy tender focuses on procurement assistance, contract drafting and implementation support for the Karlovac‑Skradnik and Skradnik‑Tijani sections. The adoption of an alliance, open‑book model marks a first for Croatia, aligning client and contractor incentives, sharing risk, and accelerating decision‑making. This collaborative framework aims to reduce cost overruns and legal disputes, delivering a complex project—featuring 17 viaducts and 14 tunnels—more efficiently than traditional procurement methods.

If successful, the Lowland Railway could become a template for future large‑scale infrastructure projects across the region. The estimated €3 billion total cost underscores the scale of investment required, while the projected 56 km reduction in travel distance between Zagreb and Rijeka enhances competitiveness of rail freight. As the EU pushes for a cohesive, high‑capacity trans‑European network, Croatia’s move toward innovative contracting may encourage neighboring countries to adopt similar alliance approaches, accelerating the modernization of rail corridors throughout Central and Southeast Europe.