Montenegro is improving its rail infrastructure with a €76 million investment from the European Union. The European Investment Bank (EIB) Global is providing €75.5 million to rehabilitate a crucial railway section between Bar, Podgorica, and Vrbnica.
This project, part of the extended Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), aims to enhance rail capacity, efficiency, and safety, benefiting over a million passengers annually and boosting international freight traffic.
The funding package covers 95% of the project costs, with a €40 million loan from the EIB, €35.5 million in grants from the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), and a €4.5 million contribution from the Montenegrin government. The project involves significant upgrades, including rehabilitating a 20 km single-track rail section, reconstructing steel bridges and tunnels, and modernizing rolling stock facilities.
EIB Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris highlighted the project’s strategic importance for regional integration in the Western Balkans, aligning with the EU’s objectives of enhancing connectivity and economic growth in the region. This initiative supports sustainable transport modes and infrastructure improvement in Montenegro, in line with the country’s EU accession and environmental goals.