Construction is set to begin on Hungary’s largest current rail upgrade: the HUF 12 billion (EUR 32 million) Zalaszentiván “delta track” project, city officials announced on Tuesday. Trains between Szombathely and Zalaegerszeg will soon run faster and without reversing direction, thanks to the new infrastructure project, Magyar Építők reports.
The new “delta track” is designed to eliminate the need for trains to reverse direction at Zalaszentiván station, a current bottleneck for both regional passenger services and freight traffic on the Baltic–Adriatic corridor connecting Slovakia, Poland, and Slovenia.
Currently, trains from Szombathely enter Zalaszentiván heading east before reversing westward to continue to Zalaegerszeg.
The work is being carried out by Hungarian-Austrian railway company GYSEV in partnership with the V-S Zala Consortium—which includes Swietelsky Vasúttechnika Kft. and V-Híd Network Kft. Completion is expected by early 2028.
The project, financed through Hungary’s national budget as well as the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the Integrated Transport Development Operational Program (IKOP) Plus, will include a 1,500-meter electrified connecting track on the western side of Zalaszentiván station. This addition will simplify rail operations and cut travel times across the region.
The “delta track” will also provide a direct rail link to the planned METRANS logistics and industrial park, facilitating further regional development.
Zoltán Balaicz, the Mayor of Zalaegerszeg, noted that the EU-funded public tender for the “delta track” concluded in December, with the contract signed in February. Following funding approval, the agreement came into effect in April, marking the start of preparatory works and site handover.
Via Magyar Építők, Featured image: MTI/Lakatos Péter
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