Raz: Rail Service between Hronsky Benadik and Nova Bana to Be Resumed in Summer

Hronsky Benadik, March 2 (TASR) - The rail service on a more than 11-kilometre section of track between Hronsky Benadik and Nova Bana (both in Banska Bystrica region), which is currently being reconstructed by rail-infrastructure owner ZSR, should be resumed this summer, Transport Minister Jozef Raz (a Smer-SD nominee) has posted in a video on a social network. According to the minister, speed had to be limited on the aforementioned section before the reconstruction work. The reason for this was that the track is located in a river valley and cut into the side of a hill. Its technical condition was not the best, either, with mud deposits often appearing on the track. "So, we embarked on a major reconstruction, which will create 11.5 kilometres of new rail superstructure and substructure," said Raz, adding that new platforms in Hronsky Benadik and in Tekovska Breznica will also be built. All bridges, switches and crossings will undergo reconstruction as well. Raz added that the reconstruction work will increase safety and traffic flows on the section, bringing lower maintenance costs as well. Due to the extensive reconstruction work, the rail service on the section has been suspended and is being served by replacement buses instead. ko/df