Yapi Merkezi hands over most of the rest of the collector
The Turkish construction company Yapi Merkezi reported that it is not retreating from the construction site of the second track between Divača and Koper, but has agreed with partners to change in the division of the remaining works.
« The company will remain in Slovenia until all contractual obligations are fulfilled, thus contributing to the successful completion of the project, » they wrote in a message that was coordinated with both partners and the subscriber 2TDK. The partial withdrawal of the company has raised concerns and also restraining the statements that are now part of the crisis communication of the company in difficulty.
The first train on the second track, but the right rides will still last. Photo 2TDK
Although it has been heard so far that Yapi Merkezi is retreating from Slovenia due to the financial problems he has on others, as well as large projects abroad, in this message, part of the blame is also rolled onto this Slovenian railway project. « The delays in the issuance of work permits and the unforeseen geological conditions have affected the financial stability and operational efficiency of the project implementation and, consequently, the operations of Yapi Merkezi, » they wrote, adding that partners agree on the change in the dividing of the extent.
The leading partner in the CPG Consortium is agreed to take on additional work, and Yapi Merkezi will reduce work in the Beka Tunnel (T 2). “At the same time, talks with subcontractors and suppliers on reprogramming financial obligations are already underway to ensure stability and further timely execution of works. Final arrangements with subcontractors and suppliers will be concluded within a few weeks, « said Yapi Merkezi.
Completing the track will probably be extended again.
Perhaps a tenth of Turkish workers will remain on the construction site
According to information from 2TDK and contractors, about 80 percent of the works have been completed so far. Of the total contract value for the first two sections, which amounted to € 629 million, they received about 70 percent of the liabilities paid. The Lokev tunnel (T 1), built by the CPG collector and the longest of all, could be upgraded in about three months. It was most delayed in the T 2 (Beka) tunnel, where the excavations were completed as early as October 2024.
Now they are completing bridging facilities across four larger karst caves. This is where they are most behind because of the financial problems of the Turkish builder. According to unofficial information and estimates, about one tenth of the Turkish workers will remain on the construction site. The work and some Turkish subcontractors will be taken over by Kolektor. In doing so, he will also have to take over the obligations (debts) of Yapi Merkezia to their subcontractors.
They did four fifths of concrete works. About 70 percent of the works are repaid.
At 2TDK, they claim that partners in the consortium have reached an agreement on mutual obligations and obligations to subcontractors and that they will continue part of the course in a few weeks at normal speed. They also claim that the price increases will not exceed the plan from the investment program. If there were no unforeseen works due to karst phenomena and if there were no high price increases in the construction industry for various reasons, both lots would be completed by even a lower amount than the contract value of 629 million. They already know that this amount will be higher. Let us add that the original investment program from 2019 envisaged a value of € 702 million for the two sections.
Karst Cave No 80. Thus they had to build a tunnel circumference under the dripstone. Photo Mitja Prelovšek
A complication with the problems of the Turkish contractor is not the only one that can cause a delay in the already extended period of completion of construction (March 31, 2026). Uncertainty is also an avalanche of hills noticed in the Glinščica Valley at the end of 2024. The designers, together with contractors and supervisory engineers, found a solution, but they have to produce the project.
The consolidation of the banks along the tunnel portal and the Glinščica viaduct will be technically demanding and time consuming and will affect both the work and the price. Because of this, it is a significant likelihood that the track will not be able to be completed by the end of March 2026.
