HŽ Infrastruktura has received full environmental approval for the planned lowland railway connecting Zagreb and Rijeka, covering both the Karlovac–Oštarije/Skradnik and Skradnik–Krasica–Tijani sections. The final decision, concerning the Skradnik–Krasica–Tijani segment, was issued on 16 September 2025, following earlier approval for the Karlovac–Oštarije/Skradnik section on 19 May.
The project forms part of a major realignment of the Zagreb–Rijeka railway corridor. The corridor is planned as a double-track line for mixed passenger and freight use, with design speeds of up to 160 km/h.
Development of project documentation is currently ongoing. On 12 August 2025, HŽ Infrastruktura signed a EUR 1.5 million contract for the Karlovac–Oštarije/Skradnik section with a consortium comprising Granova, ŽPD, BBD – Bridge&Building Design, and Mobilita Vision. The conceptual design and location permitting are scheduled to be completed by November 2026.
A separate contract for the Skradnik–Krasica–Tijani section was awarded in November 2024 to Granova, ŽPD, BBD – Bridge&Building Design, and Geotehnički studio. This portion of the work, valued at over EUR 3 million, is due by February 2026.
Due to the demanding topography, the route includes extensive infrastructure. Plans call for 17 viaducts totalling around 10 km and 14 tunnels with a combined length of 57 km. The most prominent structures are the Kapela 1 and Kapela 2 tunnels, measuring 10 km and 15 km respectively, which will cut through the Velika and Mala Kapela mountain ranges.
Five new stations and one stop are also part of the corridor plan.
