The Koper - Divača second rail track project caused quite a stir because of an increase of price - 1,4 billion euros - which Slovenia cannot afford to pay. The project leaders first estimated the investment to be worth around 800 million, but its price then rose to 1,4 billion euros. However, the conditions on the construction market have changed and experts say the above-mentioned price is no longer realistic. Port operator Luka Koper has stressed in the past that according to their experience with different construction projects, the real price for the second track would stand at around 800 million euros. But Luka Koper says the project could cost Slovenia much more if the minister intended to go ahead with the project through a public-private partnership.

The audit is being conducted by an Italian company Geodata Engineering from Turin. The audit includes reviewing the estimated value and taking into account possible streamlining and optimizations, including the possibility of the second track being used only for cargo transport.

Meanwhile, as minister Gašperšič awaits the official findings of the audit, there is nothing new regarding the construction of the second rail track. The construction of the kilometer-long sidetrack between the cargo station in Koper and Dekani has also not yet started. The ministry explains that the contractor, a consortium of the Kolektor Koling, CGP and CPG companies, has obtained all the permits and is currently clearing and preparing the terrain for work. The contract is worth a little less than 6 million euros, while the contract for the entire sidetrack project, for which European funds have already been secured, is estimated by the ministry at around 27 million euros.

Nataša Ugrin Tomšič, Radio Koper; translated by K. J.