The challenge facing FYR Macedonia’s government is to modernise the railway system, especially the infrastructure. Aside from implementing the legislative framework, rehabilitating Corridor X is the authorities’ priority in terms of transports, since traffic on the corridor can help boost the country’s economic growth, as it links Europe to Central Asia, both regions where commercial exchange is increasing in importance.
The rehabilitation of Corridor X on the territory of FYR Macedonia has become a priority of the Ministry of Transport. The authorities have called on the European Commission for support in these projects. FYR Macedonia needs a functional railway system which cannot be backed only by national authorities. Also, by investing in Corridor VIII, the country will secure a railway link with Albania and Bulgaria bringing benefits to the efficiency and quality of transports. This is the only way in which FYR Macedonia will see all the advantages of a completely functional rail network.
The documents elaborated by the Ministry of Transport stipulate that “for Corridor X, it is most important to increase the traffic speed of trains to over 100 km/h, the best traffic conditions on Corridor X being achieved by improving the quality of infrastructure”.
“Macedonia lies on one of the most important international routes, Corridor X, linking Europe to Greece, Turkey and Central Asia (…) By implementing the railway system efficiency project, improving operational capacity and increasing safety, the country has managed to reduce speed restrictions from 30% to 13%, and the acquisition of railway infrastructure modernisation equipments will help boost Macedonia’s economic development”, declared Milan Jankulovski, Manager of the Department of Installations of the Railway Infrastructure Manager, informs balkans.com website, quoting the World Bank.
Trade and Transport Facilitation Project stipulates that Macedonia should modernise railways at the border with Kosovo and Serbia and to improve its communications system for information exchange on train traffic, between the railway system and its users.
In upgrading Corridor X, Macedonia will receive financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), around EUR 17.6 Million, the total cost of the project amounting to around EUR 20 Million. The project stipulates the rehabilitation of 54 km of railway by replacing wood sleepers with concrete sleepers, laying the new tracks and elastic fastenings. Works should be initiated starting with the final quarter of 2011 and are due in February 2012.
Apart from this project, Corridor VIII receives EUR 500 Thousand through the Central European Initiative. Traffic fluidity on this corridor will be achieved through line Beljakovce-Bulgarian border, where EUR 200 Million were invested. This line is part of Corridor VIII and will connect Macedonia and Bulgaria, forming a link with benefits to both countries.
Share on:
