Burgos–Vitoria high-speed line tender opens two sections

Burgos–Vitoria high-speed line tender activity is moving forward after Adif AV opened procurement for two construction sections totaling 23.7 km, worth EUR 431.6 million, as set out by Adif Alta Velocidad.

The package is split into a 16.7 km link between the Burgos railway bypass and the Valle de las Navas railway bypass (EUR 159.2 million) and a 7 km contract between Manzanos and La Puebla de Arganzón (EUR 272.4 million).

Adif AV tender for construction works: scope and systems

Under the Adif AV tender for construction works, bidders are being asked to deliver the civil works for the route and its associated structures—tunnels, viaducts, and other related infrastructure.

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The plan then moves into later phases, when double track with standard gauge rails would be installed along with the equipment and systems that enable and manage rail traffic. Electrification is included in the scope as well, alongside the signaling and telecommunications systems needed for operations.

Viaduct program across the two sections

In total, the project includes 13 viaducts, including the Zardorra River viaduct. The Burgos–Valle de las Navas railway bypass section, described as the first segment of the new high-speed line, sits entirely within the province of Burgos. From the Burgos railway bypass, the alignment runs parallel to the conventional railway line for the first 3 km toward the Rubena area, before turning northeast toward Valle de las Navas. That stretch includes six viaducts, including crossings of the Vena River (643 m) and the Valle stream (444 m).

The Manzanos – La Puebla de Arganzón section, meanwhile, is planned with seven viaducts that together account for more than 2.5 km of structures along the 7 km route. Among them is the Zardorra River viaduct, which is over 1 km long and around 50 m high. It features a 222 m concrete arch designed to carry the line across the river, the Madrid–Hendaye conventional railway line, and the A1 motorway.

Atlantic Corridor context and current works

Adif AV continues to develop the line that will connect the Basque Country to the high-speed network. On the Pancorbo–Ameyugo section, which is currently under construction, 77% of the 8.4 km route has been built through a succession of three tunnels and three viaducts, as previously covered by Railway Supply. The works were contracted in 2025 with an investment of EUR 391 million.

With this tender underway, Adif AV has three of the seven sections of the Burgos–Vitoria high-speed line under construction, totaling 32.1 km, while plans and tendering for the remaining sections are being finalized.

The Burgos–Vitoria high-speed line is positioned as a key section of the Atlantic Corridor, maintaining continuity with the Madrid–Valladolid–Burgos high-speed line and linking to the line under construction between the three Basque capitals—Vitoria-Gasteiz, Bilbao, and San Sebastián—with onward connection to the French border via Irún, as also noted by the European Investment Bank.

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