Phase 3: Svilengrad - Turkish Border

Contractor: “OHL ŽS” a.s.

Contract No. 3219 from 25.05.2009

The Railway Line Svilengrad – Turkish Border from km 298+800 to km. 315+600 is a section from the Common European Transport Corridors IV and IX. The realization of the project Svilengrad – Turkish Border is first set as a part from the Project “Plovdiv - Svilengrad – Turkish/Greek Border Railway Electrification and Upgrading”.
Phase 3 of the Project is funded by The Cohesion Fund of the EC under Priority Axis 1 of Operative Programme "Transport" 2007-2013.
Main objective is the development of NRIC’s network via electrification and upgrading of the railway infrastructure of the line Svilengrad – Turkish Border to minimum 160 km/h speed with high operational indicators and fulfilling the European requirements of traffic safety, interoperability, energy efficiency and protection of the environment.
The Phase 3 scope of works covers the following:

• Design and construction of the structures and the substructures of the line for a single track along the entire section from Svilengrad to the border with the Republic of Turkey;
• Design and construction of single track superstructure along the entire section on concrete sleepers and rails type 1UIC60;
• Construction parameters allowing 160 km/h speed of a conventional rolling-stock and 200 km/h for tilting trains, minimum radius of the horizontal curves 1500 m (in the area of the border transition – 800m), maximum longitudinal inclination 10‰, axis bearing 22.5 tons per axis, gauge GC, minimum radius of the vertical curves 15000m;
• Design and construction of a railway bridge over Maritsa River with approximate length of 415m, providing a non-conflict crossing with the newly constructed infrastructure; securing the line in the urban areas;
• Design and construction of the electrification of the newly constructed infrastructure and connecting the catenary systems and the power supply of the border with the TCDD systems including associated works;
• Construction of modern and comfortable road / pedestrian overpasses and underpasses;
• Execution of corrective measures under the impact assessment in accordance with Natura 2000 Programme;

The project Includes Construction of the following (as per Tender Design):

• Bridges – 10
• Culverts – 34
• Overpasses – 1
• Underpasses – 3