Development and transport infrastructure in the Koroška region

On Thursday, 23 May 2024, a professional conference entitled “Development and transport infrastructure in the Koroška region” took place. The event was held at Bukovje Manor in Dravograd and was devoted to presenting key infrastructure projects and strategic plans for improving transport connectivity and regional development in the Koroška region. “Quality transport infrastructure is essential for the development of the Koroška region,” was the view of the participants of this year's conference, organised by the Society for Roads of North-East Slovenia, the Municipality of Dravograd, RRA Koroška, FGPA, DRC, IZS and GZS. The conference addressed the construction and siting of the Third Development Axis, the reconstruction of the national road network in the Koroška region, the renovation of the Maribor to Holmec railway line, the opportunities for the Koroška region arising from construction of the Koralmbahn high-speed railway, and systematically connected measures to address the flood risk of the Meža and Mislinja rivers. The round table on the topic “When and how will the Koroška region become an infrastructurally developed and transport-connected region with equal conditions for economic and social development?” brought together Uroš Rozman (Society for Roads of North-East Slovenia), Bojan Borovnik (Development Council of the Koroška Region), Karmen Sonjak (RRA Koroška d.o.o.) and Katja Pokeržnik (Koroška Chamber of Commerce). In the discussion we particularly stressed that repairing infrastructure after the floods can be an opportunity for the Koroška region to obtain the transport infrastructure it has awaited for decades. The region needs a better connection to the A1 motorway as soon as possible, since poor transport accessibility is a major problem for its economy. The worst situation is on the national road link in the Meža Valley, which urgently needs reconstruction. The potential of railway connections in the region and its vicinity must be exploited, and regional transport and spatial planning must be connected. Transport infrastructure must also be built so that it is resilient to future extreme weather events.