Track rehabilitation along the Yalama – Sumgait corridor

The railway line from Sumgait, near Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Yalama on the Russian border is 172 km long and runs along the coast of the Caspian Sea. The double-track line (1,520 mm gauge) is electrified at 3 kV DC (3,000 V). The existing signalling and telecommunications equipment is around 50 years old and operates using mechanical relays and track circuits. This section includes 18 stations and over 200 small to medium-sized bridges and culverts.

As part of the Railway Sector Development Programme, the Azerbaijani government is investing in the rehabilitation of the Yalama–Sumgait section within the North-South Corridor. The project includes rehabilitating and redeveloping engineering structures, reconstructing the track superstructure (including sleepers and ballast), installing continuous welded rails, and replacing the protective layer. In some sections, realignment is required to achieve the target speed of 140 km/h for passenger traffic and 80 km/h for freight traffic. Construction work must be carried out while the railway remains operational. Within construction areas, the route will be partially blocked and operated as a single track.