Bar-Vrbnica is the main railway line of Montenegro’s rail network, carrying around 20% of passenger volume and 60% of freight. It was constructed as part of the railway corridor to Belgrade and opened to traffic in 1976.
Along the line, there are several landslide-prone sections. One of the most significant landslides, which poses a problem for infrastructure managers for several decades, is landslide Ratac with several critical parts over a length of 1,022 meters. In order to ensure the stability of the terrain and the railway line, WBIF provided technical assistance to (i) conduct a detailed investigation and monitoring works on the field, (ii) review alternative solutions for the rehabilitation of landslide Ratac by preparing a preliminary design, and (iii) develop the optimum solution up to the level of Main Design for the rehabilitation.
Another component of technical assistance dealt with the preparation of the Detailed Design for the replacement of signalling/interlocking devices in 11 railway stations on the railway line from Podgorica to Vrbnica.
Namely, the signalling system (electrical relay signalling and safety device) of the line was mounted at all stations and passing loops, but it was technically obsolete, dating from 1964, and needed to be upgraded to European standards. In previous stages, WBIF has funded the preparation of the Main Design for the replacement of the signal-safety system in Podgorica station. Under this TA grant, these efforts have continued, now supporting the replacement of the signalling/interlocking devices in 11 railway stations along the northern part of the line.
