NRIC is again looking for a contractor for the Iskar – Elin Pelin railway section for €38 million

The National Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC) is restarting the modernization of the railway junction between Sofia's Iskar station and Elin Pelin. The new public procurement contract has a total estimated value of over €38.3 million excluding VAT. Bids must be submitted by April 16.

The tender is divided into two separate positions – one for the complete renovation of Iskar Station and one for finishing works on the Iskar – Elin Pelin section. The deadlines for completion are 39 months for the station complex and 18 months for the railway section.

Background of the Iskar – Elin Pelin section

The section between Iskar and Elin Pelin is the second lot of the railway line between Sofia and Elin Pelin, with a total length of 23 kilometers. The second lot, for which NRIC is now issuing a tender, is about 15 kilometers long. It starts at the entrance to Iskar Station and ends at the 22nd kilometer at Elin Pelin Station. The first lot (Sofia – Iskar) starts from Central Station, passes through Poduyane and reaches the beginning of Iskar Station (km 7+700).

We would like to remind you that the contract with the initially selected contractor for the entire Sofia – Elin Pelin route was terminated in 2022 due to slow implementation. After that, the first section (Central Station – Iskar) was entrusted to the state-owned company TSV, with a contract worth over €32.3 million (BGN 63.3 million).

For the Iskar – Elin Pelin section, a contract was announced with an estimated value of BGN 54.3 million in 2023. However, it was terminated in early 2024, and in 2025, emergency repairs to the railway were necessary to maintain train traffic.

Modernization of Iskar Station

The first separate position (Renovation of Iskar) focuses both on the station itself and on its adjacent infrastructure with a length of nearly 2.4 km (from km 7+700 to km 10+050). This is the "heart" of the project, where the most complex reconstruction of tracks and systems is taking place. The estimated cost here is over €30.1 million. The main objective here is to bring the station complex into line with European standards for speeds of 160 km/h.

The planned activities include the complete replacement of the superstructure of tracks 1, 4, 5, and 6 with heavy 60E1 rails. The project also provides for complex reconstruction of railway bridges over the Iskar River, as well as intersections with gas pipelines and communication cables.

A complete renovation of the contact network and external power supply systems is also planned. New platforms with modern shelters will be built for passengers and an accessible environment will be provided for people with reduced mobility.

In addition, new noise barriers and fences are planned to be installed in urban areas.

Finishing works Iskar – Elin Pelin

The second separate position (Iskar – Elin Pelin) covers the actual route from the exit of Iskar station to the entrance of Elin Pelin station. This is a section with a length of nearly 13 kilometers (from km 10+050 to km 22+846). This is where the Verila stop and Kazichene station are located, where platforms, drainage systems, and noise barriers need to be completed. The estimated cost here is just over €8.2 million.

Adjustments to the route are planned – third leveling and ballasting of the railway in the Iskar – Kazichene and Kazichene – Elin Pelin sections, completion of the platforms at the Verila stop and Kazichene station, as well as dismantling of the old level crossing at the new Verila road overpass.

Completion of the drainage channels, drainage systems, and pipe and channel network for signaling and telecommunications is planned.

Selection and evaluation criteria

Given the bitter experience with terminated contracts, NRIC sets high requirements for the economic status of future builders. Candidates must prove a minimum total turnover of BGN 40 million for the last three financial years. In terms of technical capacity, experience in performing identical activities – construction or rehabilitation of railways and contact networks – is required.

Despite the complexity of the situation, the main criterion for selecting a contractor remains the "lowest price offered."

Translated with DeepL.