Orient/East-Med Corridor: Serbia - Bulgaria CXc Rail Interconnection, Nis - Dimitrovgrad - Border with Bulgaria Section

The Orient/East-Med Corridor runs between Salzburg in Austria and Thessaloniki in Greece. In Serbia, the Corridor accounts for 872 km of track, i.e. approximately 23% of the entire Serbian railway network. It includes an 80 km-long Serbia – Bulgaria interconnection along the CXc route, in between Sicevo and Dimitrovgrad, which has not been electrified. Moreover, the signalling and train control system has been in use for more than 50 years, slowing travel speeds to 30 and 50 km/h and posing serious transport safety risks.

This project concerns the rehabilitation of the existing railway line Nis-Dimitrovgrad (approx. 96 km), including electrification and modernisation of signalling/telecommunications, and the construction of singletrack bypass in the North of the City of Nis. It has so far benefited from more than €74 million in technical assistance and investment grants from the EU, through the WBIF. The project is now at the design stage, with tendering for track overhaul works due to start by the end of 2018. 

The Dimitrovgrad – border with Bulgaria section was completely overhauled in 2001 with assistance from the European Investment Bank. The successful completion of this project will bring the entire CXc route to modern standards.

More details may be found in the two project summary sheets included on this page.

Project image @ Infrastructure Project Facility 7.