The Catalan government has launched a study for the Eix Transversal Ferroviari, aiming to connect Lleida and Girona with a new high-speed rail line. This project includes a planned AVE station in Vallès.
The Catalan government has taken a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity by initiating the study for the Eix Transversal Ferroviari, which will establish a direct high-speed rail link between Lleida and Girona. This ambitious infrastructure project aims to bypass Barcelona, facilitating faster travel times across Catalonia.
According to reports from El Periódico and RAC1, the first phase of this project includes plans for an AVE station in Vallès, designed to integrate seamlessly with existing Rodalies and Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) services. The proposed route will also allow AVE trains coming from Madrid to enter Barcelona via Sagrera through a newly constructed branch connecting Martorell and Mollet.
The estimated cost for the initial segment of construction, which will span from Lleida through Igualada to Martorell, is projected at approximately 1.5 million euros. The timeline for this phase is expected to exceed two years before completion.
Sílvia Paneque, the Consellera of Territory, Housing, and Ecological Transition, emphasized that this new railway line would significantly enhance the current transport network’s capacity and efficiency. She stated in an interview on RAC1, “The Eix Transversal Ferroviari will reinforce our existing infrastructure in terms of capacity, efficiency, and balance.”
The specific location of the future high-speed station within Vallès remains undetermined; however, it has been confirmed that its alignment will closely follow that of the R8 Rodalies line between Rubí tunnel and Mollet-Sant Fost.
This initiative aligns with previous proposals made by Transport Minister Óscar Puente last November regarding improving access to high-speed rail services in Barcelona via Sagrera. Puente highlighted plans for a direct AVE variant linking Lleida directly to Barcelona-Sagrera without passing through Camp de Tarragona or Sants stations. Such changes are anticipated to yield significant time savings while alleviating congestion along the busy Tarragona route into Catalonia’s capital.
The Eix Transversal Ferroviari is poised not only to improve travel times but also aims to ensure that each comarca along its path features at least one stop for AVE trains. This strategic planning reflects a broader commitment by regional authorities to enhance public transportation options across Catalonia.
As construction progresses over the next few years, residents can expect updates on specific station locations and timelines. For those interested in following developments or utilizing these future services once operational, local transport authorities will provide ongoing information regarding schedules and connections as they become available.
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