Project name: New railway line Gradec – Sveti Ivan Žabno

Location: Croatia

Design team: Granova, a specialised project office for the preparation of project documentation and consulting in the field of transport engineering, especially railway infrastructure.

The goal: The main goal of the construction of a new railway connection between Gradec and Ivan Žabno was to bring the Bjelovar region closer to the city of Zagreb.

Design objects: 12,2 km of new railway, 1 bridge over river, 5 roadway overpasses, 1 roadway underpass, railway and road culverts, 2 railway stations, 3 railway stops, 2 level crossing, new railway platforms, noise barriers, signals, barriers, 9km of new connection and bypass roads.

Software solution used: Ferrovia

Cost: 34.4 million euros

The main goal of the construction of a new railway connection between Gradec and Ivan Žabno was to bring the Bjelovar region closer to the city of Zagreb. It was completed in December 2019 and was the first newly built railway line in Croatia in 52 years. The train journey from the town of Bjelovar to Zagreb now takes about an hour, giving residents a faster and better way of traveling to school and work every day. 

New railway Station Sveti Ivan Žabno.
Source: https://www.hzinfra.hr/gradnja-nove-pruge-gradec-sveti-ivan-zabno/

The planning documents for the new railway line were prepared by the Croatian company Granova d.o.o. Granova is a specialised project office for the preparation of project documentation and consulting in the field of transport engineering, especially railway infrastructure. They deal with the planning of new and the reconstruction of existing railway lines, the overhaul of existing lines, the reconstruction of existing and the construction of new stations and stops, the planning of industrial tracks and terminals for the transhipment of bulk goods, etc. The creative spirit of Granova engineers has become a symbol of modern, high-quality design solutions, which are a basis for the realisation of dynamic development in the process of investment in railway infrastructure.

The railway line is 12.2 km long and was designed entirely with Ferrovia software. Ferrovia is a professional, BIM ready solution for railway design and rail track analysis compliant with country-specific guidelines. It includes all the necessary designing tools, which help the user to bring the project to the highest possible level. In addition to all the functionality offered by the Ferrovia software, Granova sees advantages also in immediate help and support from the local distributor.

The new railway line was planned as a non-electrified single-track railway line for a design speed of 120 km/h, the profiles of which were designed so that it can be electrified in the future. The track gauge is 1435 mm. The railway line is built with new 60 E1 rails laid at 60 cm intervals on prestressed reinforced concrete sleepers. The rails are attached to the sleepers with elastic fastening material that provides resistance in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

A typical cross-section of a new railway track Gradec – Sveti Ivan Žabno.

The railway runs over slightly hilly terrain and is designed to conform to the terrain as much as possible, avoiding high embankments and deep excavations. When planning the height of the new line, the designers had to take many other factors into account. In addition to the heights of the existing railway lines to which the new railway is connected, they also had to consider the height of existing roads and future overpasses and underpasses, the height of existing watercourses, culverts, bridges, and the economy of the longitudinal profile.

Plans for the new railway line, made with Ferrovia software.

The most complex structure on the railway line is the Glogovnica Bridge. This new bridge is made of reinforced concrete and is built with a continuous slab in three spans. A pedestrian console is also installed on each side of the bridge. The construction of the bridge structure was carried out by concreting on site at low water level. In order to form an excavation for the foundations of the pillars, it was necessary to block the watercourse in the longitudinal direction with an earth wall and steel planks. In addition to the bridge, five road overpasses and one underpass, railway and road culverts, and level crossings had to be planned.

New underpass on the single railway track Gradec – Sveti Anton Žabno.
Source: https://www.hzinfra.hr/gradnja-nove-pruge-gradec-sveti-ivan-zabno/

Construction site.
Source: https://www.hzinfra.hr/gradnja-nove-pruge-gradec-sveti-ivan-zabno/

For the needs of the new railway, it was necessary to rebuild the Gradec and Sveti Ivan Žabno stations and to build three new intermediate stops. Stops are equipped with a platform for passenger boarding and alighting, canopies, parking spaces, bicycle stands, a bench with five seats, waste bins, lighting and fences. New access roads to the stations were also built and green areas were created after the construction was completed.

A new railway station Sveti Ivan Žabno.
Source: https://www.hzinfra.hr/gradnja-nove-pruge-gradec-sveti-ivan-zabno/

Several environmental protection measures were also considered when planning the route. Special attention had to be paid to the planning of water drainage and the creating of a natural regime. In addition, the railway also runs through the forest, so migration corridors had to be created in this area for the passage of wildlife. The project also foresees measures to protect the soil in the way that the removal of humus along the entire railway line, controlled temporary storage along the line and final humus coating of the embankment slope are envisaged.

The modernisation of the railway infrastructure on the Bjelovar-Zagreb railway line gives rise to expectations of a significant increase in freight and passenger rail transport. At the same time, it represents the beginning of future projects that will expand and develop the railway network in Croatia and promote the use of public transport.