Mediterranean Corridor, Montenegro – Albania R2 Rail Interconnection, Podgorica – Border Between the Two States Section: Feasibility Study, Conceptual Design, ESIA, PIU Support

Mediterranean Corridor, Montenegro – Albania R2 Rail Interconnection, Podgorica – Border Between the Two States Section: Feasibility Study, Conceptual Design, ESIA, PIU Support

Project Description

The total length of the railway network in Montenegro is 249 km, out of which 224 km are electrified. The network consists of three lines, which broadly run in a north-south direction.

  • Vrbnica (Border with Serbia) - Podgorica - Bar, 168 km;
  • Nikšić - Podgorica, 56 km;
  • Podgorica - Tuzi - Border with Albania, 25 km.

The railway line between Podgorica and the Albanian border represents a section (25 km) of Route 2 from Podgorica (Montenegro) to Vlore (Albania). This section forms part of the indicative extension of the Core TEN-T Corridor into neighbouring countries. Route 2 is directly connected with Route 4; connecting Vršac at the Serbian-Romanian border, Belgrade (Serbia), Podgorica (Montenegro) and Bar (Montenegro).

The section is single-tracked, not electrified and designed for a maximum speed of 100 km/h. However, it is currently in a poor condition in many parts and the permissible operational speed has to be substantially reduced in some sections (30 km/h).

WBIF has provided a technical assistance grant for the development of a Feasibility Study for the modernisation of Rail Route 2, Podgorica - Montenegrin / Albanian border, including the Conceptual Design (CD), Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).

Partner Financial Organisations

Western Balkans Partners