Renew the upgrade proposal

The Slovenian government has released an updated draft of the state spatial plan for the upgrade of the railway line connecting Ljubljana to Kranj and Naklo. The revised proposal outlines plans for extending the track and constructing new infrastructure, including a freight terminal within the Naklo industrial zone. The document was published on Monday, August 17, 2026, and will remain open for public review until September 25. A public presentation is scheduled for September 8 in Kranj. The proposed upgrades involve extending the existing 29.2-kilometer section of the railway from Ljubljana to Kranj and adding a 4.7-kilometer extension from Kranj to Naklo with a second track. According to officials at the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, the revised plan takes into account feedback received during the public consultation held in 2024. The primary goal of this renewed publication is to inform the public, especially landowners affected by changes to the area covered by the state spatial plan, about the planned spatial arrangements and developments. The upgraded railway corridor aims to follow the existing route as much as possible. However, the most significant narrowing of the revised state spatial plan area occurs near Police, where the originally planned freight terminal is no longer included. Existing agricultural areas and level crossings will remain untouched. Instead, the freight terminal will be built on a smaller scale at a new location heading towards Naklo. In the Naklo area, one of the largest expansions of the state spatial plan area is planned due to the extension of the track, the addition of a new station with two tracks and platforms, access roads, and related infrastructure. The route of the double-track line deviates from the existing track after crossing the regional road from Stanežiče to Jeprca, moving into a covered tunnel and excavation toward Medno. Before reaching the local train station, the track returns to the existing line, crosses the river Sora, and moves away from the current track and settlement into the covered excavation of Svetje. The railway crosses the regional road from Škofja Loka to Jeprca and continues to the new station at Reteče. From there, the track heads eastward to Godešič and proceeds to the Škofja Loka train station parallel to the existing track. This pattern also applies to the route through the Kranjsko-Sorško field, where the track turns westward from the existing line and descends into the Labore excavation toward the Kranj train station. There, the Kranj-Naklo railway branch crosses the river Savo and passes by the planned new station at Struževo. Near the settlement, a junction is planned that could potentially connect the railway line to the Brnik airport. As a single-track line, the route follows the existing track, with the freight terminal being constructed within the Naklo industrial zone. The revised state spatial plan includes several key adjustments based on public input and environmental assessments. These include modifications to the initial design of the freight terminal, which was moved to avoid encroaching on agricultural land. Additionally, the plan incorporates new stations and infrastructure to accommodate increased rail traffic and improve connectivity. Environmental impact assessments have been conducted to ensure compliance with regulations and minimize disruption to local ecosystems. Public consultations were held in 2024 to gather feedback on the initial proposal. Officials emphasized that the revised plan reflects the concerns raised during these sessions, particularly regarding land use and environmental protection. The updated proposal is available online through the ministry's website and has been shared with the municipal websites of Ljubljana, Kranj, and the municipalities of Medvode, Škofja Loka, and Naklo. The revised state spatial plan is set to undergo further reviews and discussions before final approval. Local communities, environmental groups, and industry stakeholders are expected to provide additional input during the upcoming public hearings. The project is part of broader efforts to modernize Slovenia’s transportation network and enhance its capacity to handle growing freight and passenger traffic.