A contract was signed at the Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure, granting Osijek 22.5 million euros of non-repayable European funds for the second phase of the Tram Infrastructure Modernization project, continuing its implementation under the Competitiveness and Cohesion Program 2021–2027. The contract was signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure Oleg Butković and Goran Pajnić, Director of Osijek’s City Passenger Transport, in the presence of CFCA Director Dragan Jelić and Osijek Mayor Ivan Radić.
Minister Butković highlighted Osijek as one of the few cities in Croatia that has successfully incorporated all modes of transport into its investment cycle within a short period.
The minister also mentioned other projects undertaken in collaboration with the City of Osijek, such as the underpass on Leopolda Mandića Street worth 7 million euros, the construction of a bulk cargo terminal worth 35 million euros, and the renovated railway station building valued at 5 million euros.
“Last year, a contract was signed for 10 low-floor trams from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, worth 25 million euros, while the City Passenger Transport company procured 25 new buses through two projects with a total value of 6.7 million euros,” said Butković.
CFCA Director Dragan Jelić emphasized the excellent cooperation with the City of Osijek and noted that Osijek has flourished in part thanks to European funds, a transformation visible throughout the city.
“EU funds are truly changing Croatia for the better, and this is especially evident in Osijek, which has become a large construction site. CFCA is monitoring the implementation of many projects in this area and will continue to do so in the future,” said Jelić.
Osijek Mayor Ivan Radić described the modernization of tram infrastructure as one of the city’s largest projects, with a total value of 45 million euros.
“We have been implementing the modernization since the spring of 2022, and it will be completed by the spring of next year, resulting in 9.5 kilometers of new tram network and 23 new stops, all of which will be accessible to persons with disabilities, a requirement for low-floor trams,” said Radić.
