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2TDK in Turin on the Challenges of Building a Second Track and Protecting the Environment
2TDK in Turin on the Challenges of Building a Second Track and Protecting the Environment
On October 15 and 16, the management of 2TDK is attending a meeting in Turin of leading representatives of Europe’s largest railway projects and railway infrastructure operators, organized at the initiative of the European Commission. 2TDK CEO Matej Oset presented the company’s experience with the construction of the second track between Divača and Koper, emphasizing environmental protection during the implementation of such a demanding infrastructure project.
On the sidelines of the meeting, CEO Matej Oset and Director Marko Brezigar met with Anne Elisabet Jensen, the European coordinator for the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor, and her assistant, Marcin Wójcik. Both expressed their appreciation to Slovenia for the successful implementation of such a large and challenging infrastructure project, which is being completed practically on schedule and within the estimated investment budget. They emphasized that Slovenia can be proud of this achievement, as the second track is important not only for the Slovenian economy but also for transportation connections across Central Europe.
Marko Brezigar gave them a detailed presentation on how they dealt with major karst phenomena during construction and what technical solutions they developed to overcome them. When asked what is key to the successful implementation of the project, he highlighted 2TDK’s organizational model as a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) . This structure enables experienced professionals who are directly involved in project management to make quick and well-informed decisions. It is precisely this organizational structure that allows for the effective resolution of unforeseen challenges, streamlines decision-making processes, and significantly contributes to faster project completion.
Environmental protection is an integral part of the project’s implementation
In his presentation, Oset emphasized that environmental protection begins as early as the route planning phase. As much as 75 percent of the new, 27-kilometer-long railway line runs through tunnels, which has significantly reduced surface disturbances. Construction in the karst region posed a particular challenge, as contractors discovered 99 karst caves and features. Five major karst features were spanned with special underground bridges, thereby preserving natural underground structures and watercourses.
A significant portion of the presentation was also devoted to construction in the Glinščica Valley, which lies within the Beka Landscape Park. The Glinščica Viaduct is designed as a closed structure that minimizes noise impact on the surrounding area, and special measures were implemented during construction to protect waterways and prevent pollution. Oset also presented a comprehensive environmental monitoring program, which during construction included monitoring water and air quality, noise, vibrations, and impacts on plant and animal species.
He emphasized that environmental protection for the second track was not a separate activity but an integral part of day-to-day operations. Environmental requirements were incorporated into project solutions, contracts, and construction procedures, while continuous monitoring allowed for the real-time adaptation of measures to actual conditions on the ground.
The meeting in Turin is intended to facilitate the exchange of experiences among leading representatives of European railway projects, particularly in the areas of sustainable construction, digitalization, infrastructure resilience, environmental protection, and financing. As part of the meeting, participants also toured the construction site of the base tunnel on the Lyon–Turin rail link, one of the largest cross-border rail projects in Europe.
