Skopje, 6 May 2025 (MIA) — Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski said Tuesday that building a high-speed railway on Corridor X would be "Macedonia's golden hen" boosting the country's economic development, the Ministry of Transport said in a press release.

In an interview for Leader Radio, Nikoloski said passenger trains on the new railway would be capable of traveling 160 to 200 kilometers per hour, and freight trains up to 120 kilometers per hour.

"I want to have a railway that would make it possible for us to compete at the European level of cargo transport at 120 kilometers per hour," the transport minister said. He added that freight trains would be able to travel through the state in an hour and a half at that speed.

"This will mean a lot for developing trade and I expect this will be Macedonia's golden hen," Nikoloski said.

"Building the Corridor X railway will be very profitable for us," he said.

"Every year, ten million passengers traverse the highway from our northern to our southern border. If each of them buys at least one cup of coffee along the way, this means ten million will remain in the country. Also, Corridor X's toll income alone is some 58 million euros per year."

"Imagine if our train service were to be operated the way it should be," Nikoloski said. 

"This is a strategic project and a dream of mine. I talked about it even when I was in the opposition. It is one of the main reasons I am in this ministry. And you will be getting some good news very soon," he said.

In the radio interview, according to the press release, the transport minister also said four new highways were being built at the moment and a fifth one was in the planning stages.

"We are building Ohrid-Kichevo. We are building Gostivar-Bukojchani. We are building Gostivar-Tetovo. We are building Prilep-Bitola. And let me announce our open call for building the Bukojchani-Kichevo connector, which means we are building five highways. This is a serious mobilization of resources, people, machines — and, what is most important, we are showing that our administration is capable," he said. mr/