While seemingly modest on paper—just under 15 kilometres in length—the newly inaugurated railway section represents a significant step forward in improving connectivity along a critical corridor between Croatia and Hungary. The fully upgraded, dual-track segment links the Croatian hub of Koprivnica with the Hungarian terminal at Gyékényes, situated in the municipality of Zákány. The project, partially funded by the EU's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), involved an investment of €350 million from Croatia. Its centrepiece is a new dual-track bridge over the Drava River, replacing the previous single-track structure.
According to HŽ Infrastruktura, the Croatian rail infrastructure manager, the majority of the line’s capacity will be devoted to freight transport, particularly cross-border traffic involving the port of Rijeka (Fiume). At full capacity, an estimated 30 freight trains per day are expected to operate on the upgraded line, a significant improvement compared to the previously negligible freight activity.
The section towards the Hungarian border is part of a broader reconstruction and modernisation initiative for the railway corridor running from Križevci—approximately 70 kilometres east of Zagreb—through Koprivnica to the new Drava crossing. Current works focus on the short segment between Mučna Reka and Koprivnica, with project completion anticipated by the end of 2025. Once finalised, the entire Croatia-Hungary railway corridor will support speeds of up to 160 km/h, optimised for freight transport without the existing limitations on speed and load capacity. It will also be equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) to meet EU signalling standards.
HŽ Infrastruktura has launched an ambitious investment programme, the largest in Croatia’s history. Over the next decade, €6 billion will be allocated to railway infrastructure, largely co-financed by the European Union. Rail projects account for the bulk of EU funding allocated to Croatia, with nearly 20 initiatives currently under way, supported by European grants and financing from major global banking institutions.
The majority of these investments will benefit freight transport. In particular, upgrades are planned for Croatia’s two main corridors: one linking Rijeka, via Zagreb, to Budapest, and another connecting Slovenia, through Zagreb, to Serbia. However, the Croatia-Hungary freight railway corridor holds the greatest promise for unlocking new freight transport potential.
Piermario Curti Sacchi
