Orient/East-Med Corridor: Montenegro - Serbia R4 Rail Interconnection, Bar - Vrbnica Section

The extension of the Orient/East-Med Corridor into the Western Balkans along Route 4 is approximately 580 km long and runs from Vrsac (Serbia-Romania border) to Belgrade (Serbia) and then to Podgorica and Bar (Montenegro). Bar-Vrbnica is the main railway line of Montenegro’s rail network, carrying around 20% of all passenger volume and 60% of freight. The line was constructed as part of the railway corridor to Belgrade and opened to traffic in 1976.

The EU has supported the rehabilitation of the line to contribute to improved safety and the security of people and goods in the transportation sector and generate environmental and economic benefits for citizens and the economy.

This €20.4m investment grant, allocated through the WBIF under the Connectivity Agenda, has supported the following works:

• Modernisation of the signalling system at the major junction of Podgorica.
• Rehabilitation of the railway line from landslides and rock fall along up to 6 slopes, covering a total rail line length of around 2,964 m and overall surface of around 59,660 m²:
• Rehabilitation of concrete bridges with an overall bridge length of around 2,000 m.
• Rehabilitation of up to 39 tunnels (incl. galleries), covering a total rail line length of around 12km, (repairs of the concrete lining, including repair of cracks, measures necessary to prevent detachment of lining or rock, measures to prevent excessive water ingress).