This plan includes two contracts worth 110 million euros, aiming to adjust the railway gauge in 26 tunnels and 40 overpasses on the Madrid-Zaragoza route to accommodate the dimensions required for semi-trailers. This adjustment will allow for the smoother transport of goods across these segments.
Further details reveal that the investment will also cover modernizing the signaling system, extending sidings at stations to 750 meters, and improving infrastructure at key points. These efforts are part of the broader initiative to promote more sustainable and competitive freight transportation across Europe, with the Ministry pushing for greater interoperability of freight transport.
Currently, seven itineraries are in operation for implementing railway highway services (transport of semi-trailers in pocket wagons by trains), with an additional six under analysis. This comprehensive plan is set to enhance the infrastructure across 174 structures, including 43 tunnels and 131 overpasses.
The first phase of investment focuses on adapting the railway gauge for the segment from San Fernando de Henares to Santa María de Huerta, with a budget of 52.4 million euros, plus 11.4 million euros for supplies. The segment from Santa María de Huerta to Zaragoza is allocated 34.4 million euros, with an additional 11.8 million euros for supplies. These works aim to expand tunnel sections, lower platforms, renew sleepers, rails, and ballast, as well as improve drainage and electrification tasks.
Future plans include extending the track at 13 stations to 750 meters and consolidating infrastructure at Almargen, Málaga, enhancing operational efficiency. The investments also comprise implementing an Automated Block Signaling system between Guadalajara and Calatayud, enhancing safety and train spacing through signals.
This development is expected to significantly increase the share of rail transportation, linking Europe with Morocco, and facilitating the movement of goods between them. Predictions for 2025 indicate that 600,000 trucks annually will cross the Strait of Gibraltar, with the route accommodating daily services that will significantly reduce road traffic.
Moreover, this project includes extending the rail highway from Zaragoza to Tarragona, connecting major production and consumption nodes and contributing to the integration of maritime and rail transportation. This segment is anticipated to further boost the rail network's capacity for freight transport, with more than 100 weekly movements per direction.
In summary, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, through Adif, is undertaking significant infrastructure adaptations to promote a more efficient, competitive, and sustainable freight transport system. This includes improving rail connections and digitalizing operations, aligning with global sustainable development goals and benefiting from European Union funding through the "Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan."
