Reconstruction work on the Alat-Osmanli-Astara railway line, which is a significant part of the North-South International Transport Corridor, began in 2024.

The 245 km-long railway is being renovated in four phases. The first phase covers the 60 km section between Alat and Osmanli. This phase includes the construction of a total of 131 artificial engineering structures, including 3 railway bridges, 3 road overpasses, as well as underpasses for animal crossings and various-sized water drainage pipes. Additionally, the first phase involves the reconstruction of three stations: Yeni Alat, Shirvan, and Osmanli.

Currently, the concrete works for the overpass at the 2nd km mark are planned to be completed, while the construction of access roads is ongoing. Furthermore, 50% of the existing railway in the first phase has been dismantled, with work continuing.

In the first phase of the Alat-Osmanli-Astara railway line, geogrid (a mesh-like synthetic engineering material used to reinforce soil layers, prevent erosion, and regulate water flow) is being used to enhance the durability of the railway track. The use of geogrid positively impacts cost optimization. Additionally, high groundwater levels could cause the railway bed to sink. To prevent this, international best practices recommend using geogrid.

The project's second phase includes the construction of twin railway bridges over the Kura River, which were completed in 2023 and are already in operation. Design work is ongoing for the third and fourth phases.

It is worth noting that the Alat-Osmanli-Astara railway line was last overhauled in the 1980s. The reconstruction of the railway is crucial for increasing the country’s transit potential, meeting the growing freight demand along the North-South corridor, and improving the overall railway infrastructure. Additionally, many at-grade intersections with roads are being replaced with grade-separated crossings to enhance traffic safety.

The construction work is planned to be completed by 2028.