The European Commission approved the financing of the project for modernization of the railway line Elin Pelin - Kostenetz that amounts to 451 million Euros. Over 51 km of railways and 5 railway stations along the line will be modernized through the allocated funds. All same-level crossings of railway transport with road traffic and passengers are to be eliminated.

This is the largest project under OP "Transport and Transport Infrastructure" as the line goes through rough mountain terrain. In order to reach the project speed of 160 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for cargo trains, over 20 tunnels will be constructed the longest of them being 6 km. The project also envisages the construction of over 23 bridges and viaducts with a total length of the facilities almost 3 kilometers.

The line is part of the Orient/East-Mediterranean railway corridor that passes through the country. The implementation of the project provides modern railway transport and fast railway connection for more than 53 000 citizens living between Elin Pelin and Kostenetz.

The construction of the line will be carried out in three stages - Elin Pelin - Vakarel, Vakarel - Ihtiman, Ihtiman - Kostenetz. The deadline for completion of construction works is 2023.