Modernization of the Railway Network: Elin Pelin - Kostenets Tunnel Excavated

Significant progress is underway in the modernization of Bulgaria's railway infrastructure. The National Railway Infrastructure Company ("NKZHI") has officially announced the completion of the excavation of a new, important tunnel on the strategic section between Elin Pelin and Kostenets. This event marks another step toward the renewal of the country's railway network.

Engineering Triumph Underground

The new facility, with a total length of 1135 meters, was excavated using the state-of-the-art "New Austrian Tunneling Method" (NATM). According to information from NKZHI, the breakthrough was carried out simultaneously from both sides of the rock mass, which emphasizes the precision and efficiency of the engineering approach. This tunnel is part of "Separate Position 3" of the project for the railway section between Elin Pelin and Kostenets. The project contractor is the consortium "Strabag GP Rail" DZZD, which is working on a key part of the route.

Large-scale Modernization and Long-term Plans

The Elin Pelin – Kostenets project is divided into a total of three separate positions, and the completion of the tunnel on the third of these represents a key stage of the overall plan. The entire railway section between Nemirovo and Kostenets is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2029, which will significantly improve connectivity and travel speed in the region.

This investment is only a small part of the ambitious program for the renewal of the national railway network. According to data from the state company, more than 550 kilometers of key railway sections are currently being modernized in Bulgaria. In early July, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Lyuben Nanov emphasized the scale of these efforts.

"This is a real scale of investments that speaks for itself about our commitment to making the rail sector the backbone of the green and smart transition"