A new, electrified connecting track is being built between railway lines No. 17 and No. 25
As part of this multi-disciplinary investment, a new railway track, a passenger stop and engineering structures are being constructed; in addition, the related road, utility, energy supply, telecommunications and signalling systems are being modernised.
A railway connection of strategic importance
Railway line No. 17 (Szombathely–Zalaszentiván) and railway line No. 25 (Zalaszentiván–Őriszentpéter national border) form part of the north–south railway corridor traversing Western Transdanubia.
The lines concerned form part of the trans-European TEN-T freight and passenger transport network. Therefore, in addition to regional passenger transport, the development is of key importance for cross-border rail freight traffic.
The new connecting track enables passenger trains operating between Szombathely and Zalaegerszeg, as well as the freight trains concerned, to continue their journey without having to change direction at Zalaszentiván station. This can contribute to reducing travel times, increasing the efficiency of rail transport and relieving the traffic load at Zalaszentiván station.
The project is being implemented with the support of the European Union and co-financing from the Hungarian State.
Construction of a new electrified connecting track
A key element of the development is the connecting track to be built along a new alignment beside Zalaszentiván station, between railway lines No. 17 and No. 25.
The single-track main line is being built for an axle load of 225 kN and will allow for speeds of 60 km/h. As part of the project, the existing railway track will also be partly rebuilt.
Several sets of new turnouts will be installed to establish the necessary rail connections.
Each turnout will be equipped with an electric point heating system, which supports safe and continuous rail traffic operations even in winter weather conditions.
Overhead line and power supply works
The new connecting track will be fully electrified. As part of the works, the existing overhead line system will be dismantled over a length of approximately half a kilometre, while a new overhead line network is being built.
The development includes relocating the existing phase break on line No. 17, installing two new pole-mounted transformers, and expanding and modifying the FET/HETA system that monitors the overhead line power supply.
New railway area lighting will be installed in the turnout zones at the junctions of the connecting track with lines No. 17 and No. 25, at the Szentivánvölgy stop, at the covered bicycle store and in the vicinity of the Hunyadi Street level crossing.
A new stop named Szentivánvölgy is being established
A new railway stop named Szentivánvölgy is being built on railway line No. 17, within the built-up area of Zalaszentiván. The new stop ensures that passengers on trains that use the connecting track and bypass Zalaszentiván station can reach Zalaszentiván directly.
The stop will be equipped with a passenger platform 55 centimetres above the rail head, a passenger shelter, modern area lighting and a passenger information system. Passenger safety will be served by video surveillance and further security systems.
The integration of public and sustainable transport modes is supported by a Park & Ride (P+R) car park and a covered Bike & Ride (B+R) store for bicycles. As part of the investment, pavements leading to the stop will be built and certain existing pavement sections will be renovated.
New railway bridge over the Sárvíz Stream
The planned connecting track crosses the Sárvíz Stream, and therefore a new railway structure is being built as part of the project.
During the works, the old trough bridge over the stream will be demolished. An additional railway frame bridge and a culvert will also be built as part of the project.
Development of road and utility infrastructure
The railway investment also affects the road infrastructure of Zalaszentiván. The relevant section of Zala Street will be realigned.
The Hunyadi Street level crossing and the adjoining road section will be rebuilt together with the railway tracks.
Alongside the road construction works, the affected stormwater drainage, electrical, public lighting, telecommunications and other utility networks will be modified. The necessary drinking water, sewage, stormwater, gas, electricity and telecommunications lines will be relocated or protected.
The development affects several railway level crossings. The existing single-track level crossing on railway line No. 25 will be rebuilt as a double-track crossing to match the construction of the connecting track.
Signalling and telecommunications upgrades
A comprehensive technological modernisation is being carried out in parallel with the railway track construction. As part of the investment:
- the automatic block signalling system of railway line No. 17 will be modified;
- the interlocking system at Zalaszentiván station will be expanded and modified;
- the ETCS Level 2 train control system will be modified and expanded;
- the KÖFI central traffic control system will be modified;
- level crossing barrier systems will be installed and modified;
- the railway telecommunications and passenger information systems will be upgraded.
In the station building at Zalaszentiván, the interlocking equipment room will be enlarged, the telecommunications room will be modified and the associated intrusion detection system will be upgraded.
A comb-type cable duct system will be built to accommodate the sector-specific cables, and protective conduits will also be laid.
A complex design and permitting process
Manufacturing designs, detailed designs and construction drawings are being prepared for the implementation of the investment. The tasks also include high-voltage simulations, technological instructions, material submittals, and the compilation of quality assurance and sampling plans.
Preparation of the construction work requires site organisation plans, condition survey documentation, tree-felling and phasing plans, as well as temporary traffic diversion plans.
The operator, facility manager and authority permits and approvals required for the construction of the facilities must also be obtained. Following construction, the documentation and certificates required for the occupancy, commissioning and putting-into-service procedures must be prepared.
Related regional developments
The construction of the Zalaszentiván connecting track is linked, both in location and in time, to further transport investments. Chief among these are the development of the railway infrastructure for the intermodal container terminal being built in the Zalaegerszeg and Zalaszentiván area, and the upgrading of the Szombathely–Zalaszentiván railway line, currently in the design and preparation phase, under the SPEEED UP AMBER project. These parallel investments require continuous professional consultation between investors, clients, operators, designers, contractors and engineering organisations.
The role of FŐBER Zrt. in the project
This investment, which involves numerous technical disciplines, requires high-level technical coordination and continuous professional supervision.
FŐBER Zrt. contributes to the implementation of the project as an engineering organisation, performing the engineering and technical supervision duties. Its responsibilities include overseeing the coordination of the related investments and providing professional support to the client, with particular regard to works affecting railway capacity and the continuity of operations.
With its multidisciplinary engineering experience, our company supports the cooperation of the participants in this technically complex development, the coordination of the related work processes and the implementation of the investment under appropriate professional control.
The construction of the Zalaszentiván connecting track represents a significant step forward in the development of railway infrastructure in Western Transdanubia. The new connection contributes to increasing the efficiency of passenger and freight transport, reducing travel times, and strengthening the region's domestic and international rail links.