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The Divača–Koper Second Track Successfully Enters Its Final Phase
The Divača–Koper Second Track Successfully Enters Its Final Phase
The Divača–Koper Second Track project is entering the final phase of implementation. Final electromechanical works are currently underway along the route, while activities related to the procedure for obtaining the operating permit are already being carried out in parallel. The bulk of the construction works is expected to be completed by the end of this year, followed by testing, final procedures and other activities required to obtain the operating permit.
Even in its final phase, and taking into account the implementation to date, concluded contracts and their estimated values at completion (EAC), the project remains within the financial framework set out in the investment programme at the start of project implementation in 2019.
Over the six years of construction, several key and technically highly demanding phases of the project have been completed. Construction has been marked by challenging karst phenomena, landslides in the Glinščica Valley, the pandemic, the energy crisis, and a significant increase in the prices of materials, energy, labour and other input costs. Despite these challenging circumstances, the project is now entering its final stage, with individual implementation contracts being completed and finalised.
“The Second Track is one of the largest and most complex infrastructure projects in Slovenia. After six years of intensive construction, we have now reached the stage of final electromechanical works and preparations for obtaining the operating permit. Behind us are kilometres of tunnels, viaducts and numerous complex engineering works, while only the final steps towards completing the project remain ahead. It is also important that, despite all the challenges, we have managed to keep the project within the financial framework established at the start of its implementation,” said Matej Oset, CEO of 2TDK.
In early September, 2TDK also signed contractual amendments to adjust the values of implementation contracts for inflation during the performance of these multi-year contracts. These adjustments are a legal obligation of the contracting authority under the applicable legislation. 2TDK has no influence over changes in the prices of materials, energy, labour and other input costs and, when concluding such contractual amendments, must act in accordance with public procurement legislation and the Slovenian Code of Obligations.
The adjustment of contract values is determined on the basis of actual price movements and the implementation of each individual contract. The amendments were concluded following a review and verification of the relevant contractual, financial and technical documentation.
“Bringing such a large-scale, multi-year infrastructure project to completion also involves the final contractual and financial reconciliation of individual implementation contracts. In this context, it is important to distinguish between adjustments to contract values due to inflation, which arise from applicable legislation and contractual provisions, and changes to the overall investment value of the project for other reasons. During the implementation of the project, rising prices of materials, energy, labour and other input costs have had a significant impact on the values of individual contracts. Nevertheless, taking into account implementation to date and the estimated final values of the contracts, the project remains within the planned financial framework. Our priority now is to complete the remaining works to the required quality standards and within the estimated value, and to carry out all activities necessary to obtain the operating permit,” explained Director Marko Brezigar.
In recent years, the implementation of the project has been subject to numerous external audits and reviews. Between 2024 and 2026, these included a review by the Budget Supervision Office of the Republic of Slovenia, an audit by the European Court of Auditors in the presence of the Court of Audit of the Republic of Slovenia, and two audits by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). None of these audits identified any irregularities in the operations of 2TDK or in the implementation of the project, nor did they issue any recommendations for improvement.
The project is thus entering the final months of implementation. The focus is now on completing the electromechanical works, finalising individual contracts, and carrying out the procedures required to obtain the operating permit.