Nis–Dimitrovgrad railway modernisation: new EU and EIB package

The EU is providing additional funding for the Nis–Dimitrovgrad railway modernisation totalling €134 million.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

A notice from the European Investment Bank (EIB) refers to an EIB loan of €100 million and an EU grant of €34 million; the same figures are also listed by EU u Srbiji.

EU financing and the EIB loan: what the money will fund

The €100 million EIB loan will be used to modernise and electrify the Sićevo (Niš)–Dimitrovgrad section, located close to the border with Bulgaria. Separately, the €34 million EU grant is earmarked for building the railway bypass around the city of Niš — a project also covered in this context by Railway Supply.

Nis–Dimitrovgrad railway modernisation: speed and safety

According to the EIB, the planned works are intended to increase the line’s capacity, improve transport safety, and raise the level of passenger service. Following the infrastructure upgrade, line speed is expected to rise from 50 to 120 km/h.

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Passenger and freight forecasts, total support package

Forecasts suggest passenger traffic could grow from 170,000 to around 550,000 people per year, while freight volumes may increase from 3.2 million to approximately 6.2 million tonnes per year.

With the new package included, total EU support for the project has reached €342 million. This total comprises €234 million in EIB loans and €108 million in EU grants.

The Niš–Dimitrovgrad line forms part of the European Western Balkans–Eastern Mediterranean corridor, linking Central European countries with major ports on the Adriatic and in the Eastern Mediterranean.

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