Re-publication of the draft State Spatial Plan for the Gorenje Railway

The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning has published a revised draft of the state spatial plan for the upgrade of the Ljubljana, Kranj/Naklo railway line following a review of public comments. The updated proposal outlines plans for extending the existing single-track railway into a double-track line, with the new route primarily following the corridor of the current track. Public presentations will take place on September 8 in Kranj and September 9 in Ljubljana, with the public notice period running until September 25. The project aims to modernize the 29.2-kilometer stretch from Ljubljana to Kranj and the additional 4.7 kilometers from Kranj to Naklo. The proposed railway extension begins at the western part of Ljubljana's train station and follows the existing track heading north, east of Celovska Street. Before crossing Drenikova Street, the reconstruction of Šiška station is planned, which connects industrial tracks leading to the workshops of the Railway Museum. According to the draft state spatial plan, the route continues via an expanded overpass over Drenikova Street, where a new double-track line branches off toward Kamnik. From there, the Ljubljana, Kranj/Naklo line proceeds north past the stations of Litostroj and Stegne, as well as the Vižmarje station. A new station at Stanežiče is planned to replace the Medno station. After crossing the regional road connecting Stanežiče and Jeprca, the route diverges from the existing track and runs through a covered tunnel and cut-through area towards Medvode. Near the Medvode station, the line returns to the existing track alignment, crosses the river Sora, and then moves away from the current track and settlements into a covered trench known as Svetje. It crosses the regional road linking Škofja Loka and Jeprca before continuing to the newly planned Reteče station. Further along, the line travels east of Reteče towards Godešiče and continues to Škofja Loka station, running parallel to the existing track. It follows the existing route through the Kranjsko-Sorško field before turning westward from the current track and descending into the Labore tunnel toward the Kranj train station. From there, the Kranj, Naklo branch line crosses the Savo River and passes near the newly planned Struževo station. A spur is also planned near the settlement, potentially allowing future connections to the Brnik airport. As a single-track line, it continues along the existing track, with a freight terminal planned within the Naklo industrial zone. The revised draft of the state spatial plan incorporates confirmed positions regarding the feedback submitted during the public consultation held in 2024. The primary aim of this renewed public announcement, along with the environmental report and technical documentation, is to inform landowners who have been newly included or excluded from the planning area. The largest expansions are planned in Stanežiče and Naklo, while the most significant reductions occur in the Police area, where the freight terminal will be established on a smaller scale at a new location. The proposed freight terminal has been one of the central points of contention among residents and the City of Kranj. While the city was largely satisfied with the positions taken by the planners of the state spatial plan in response to previous submissions, two civil initiatives expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the planned route, particularly between Ljubljana and Škofja Loka. The civil initiative "Okolju prijazen tir" criticizes the alternative solution for the section between Vižmarje and Medvode, citing economic inefficiency, encroachment on settled areas, and negative impacts on agriculture, health, and the environment. Another initiative, "Občanom in okolju prijazna železnica," advocates for the existing track to become a local commuter rail line, with a separate line built alongside the motorway for international and freight traffic.