The use of European funds for the second track is not at risk
The use of European funds on the second track project is not at risk, the infrastructure minister is Alenka Bratusek rejected some media statements that the drawing was threatened by the problems of Turkish contractor Yapi Merkezi. The latter remains on the second track project until it is completed, after a tour of two construction sites with Turkish construction workers in Slovenia, the Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure provided Abdulkadir Uraloglu.
At the invitation of Alenka Bratušek, the Minister viewed the largest construction site in the country, the construction of the second track between Koper and Divača, which is carried out by the Turkish company Yapi Merkezi and the construction site of the new tube of the Karavanke tunnel in the consortium with the CPG Collector. This also builds this Turkish Cengiz.
Uraloglu: We solve problems
« We are aware of the challenges about Yapi Merkezia, » said the Turkish minister, adding: « The matters are regulated, and for the rest of the unresolved challenges we strive to solve them. With Yapi Merkesi, we are in contact to arrange if anything else. Until the project is completed, the company will not leave Slovenia. The second track project will be accompanied by a monthly level, and I will get all the necessary information myself.
Alenka Bratušek said that she and the minister looked at part of the project, which is carried out by the Turkish contractor, and the works were carried out in high quality and correct. The drawing of European funds is not at risk of its problems, it responded to the allegations that the use of European funds was threatened by alleged failure to comply with the reference conditions after reducing the presence of a Turkish construction company on the construction site. Therefore, it is not necessary to create panic. According to her, the state will succeed in getting additional European funds for this project and a parallel track. Regarding the redeployment of the works between the CPG collector and the Turkish partner, she said that the partners’ companies were in a contract, which did not determine what share the individual partner would carry out the project.
Alenka Bratusek added that the project is within the financial and investment program. They will start training trains in March next year.
Finding a contractor to rehabilitate an old pipe
In March 2026, the opening of the new eastern tube of the Karavanke tunnel is also envisaged, where work is, according to Dars CEO Andrei Ribic slightly in front of the plans. At that time, there will be two -way traffic on the new tube, as Dars will start the renovation of the existing western pipe. The motorway operator conducts a two -stage procurement process for the selection of the contractor. Three providers, including Cengiz, applied for the call, and will be selected by the contractor by summer. The rehabilitation will last until 2029, when traffic will run on both pipes enormously.
