Catalonia’s rail network works progress on Rodalies

Catalonia’s rail network emergency works are progressing according to schedule, Spain’s Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, José Antonio Santano, has said. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The Spanish authorities are allocating EUR 170 million to urgent interventions at more than 100 locations. The work covers railway infrastructure damaged by storms and other extreme weather events.

Emergency works on Catalonia’s rail network

According to Santano, around 400 specialists are currently involved in the Rodalies Contingency Plan. The programme is intended to restore and stabilize Catalonia’s railway infrastructure. It follows Storm Harry and other severe weather episodes that affected the network in recent months.

His comments were made during a visit with Silvia Paneque, Regional Minister for Territorial Planning at the Generalitat de Catalunya. The visit was held to review consolidation and stabilization works in the Rubí Tunnel. It is one of the most significant active projects on Catalonia’s railway infrastructure.

Rodalies de Catalunya projects continue

Spanish authorities have confirmed that traffic has resumed on one track in the Rubí Tunnel in Barcelona. Freight trains can pass through the tunnel for a 12-hour period each day. The partial reopening followed completion of the first stage of work. That stage covered the first 60 meters of the tunnel.

Another major project is underway at the Garraf and Aiguadolç artificial tunnel and viaducts between Sitges and Garraf. These works are intended to protect the structures from marine corrosion and wave impact. The coastal section leaves railway infrastructure constantly exposed to harsh conditions. The same project also includes waterproofing and reinforcement work on an underpass in Sitges.

Reinforcement works are also continuing in the Ribes de Freser and Toses tunnels. Work is also ongoing in tunnels between Roda de Berà and Salomó and between Valls and Plana de Picamoixons. These interventions are part of more than 100 active construction sites across 31 sections of the Rodalies network.

Beyond tunnel works, many interventions focus on embankments, cuttings, and railway ditches. These areas were affected by landslides and water infiltration. Since January, 65 infrastructure sections have been stabilized. Most of them are in the provinces of Tarragona and Barcelona.

Temporary speed restrictions decrease

Progress has also been reported on several lines. These include Barcelona–Mataró–Maçanet, Sant Vicenç de Calders–Manresa, Barcelona–Lleida via Valls and Reus, Barcelona–Móra la Nova–Ribaroja d’Ebre, and Barcelona–Girona–Portbou.

The number of temporary speed restrictions on the network has fallen to 157. It stood at 216 at the start of March. Current estimates indicate that this number is expected to continue decreasing in the coming period.

Spanish authorities, together with Adif and Renfe, say they are continuing to coordinate with the regional administration and railway operators. Their stated objective is to return the Rodalies network to normal operating conditions. They also aim to improve the quality of passenger services.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: