Spanish national operator Renfe has implemented a package of service changes running until February 2023 on its Barcelona suburban network, in order to accommodate a €471m programme of works now being undertaken by infrastructure manager Adif and its high-speed counterpart Adif AV.
The largest single project is costed at €152.9m and comprises works to prepare a tunnel at Castellbisbal near Martorell on the main line between Barcelona and Tarragona for the subsequent installation of a third running rail. This would accommodate 1435mm gauge freight services under the Mediterranean Corridor programme.
In order to carry out this work, the parallel 800m Costablanca Tunnel is being brought back into service and will provide additional capacity once the work on the Castellbisbal bore has been completed by providing a total of three tracks on this section.
A third running rail is also being installed between Martorell and Sant Vicenç de Calders. This €134.2m project includes track renewals, a catenary upgrade, extending passing loops to accommodate 750m freight trains and new underbridges to replace level crossings.
At Sant Feliu de Llobregat between Barcelona and Castellbisbal, a new station for Renfe suburban services is to be built as part of a €110.2m project to place the railway underground, eliminating level crossings and removing the barriers created by a surface alignment traversing the town centre.
Under separate package costing €68m, a new suburban station is also under construction at Sant Andreu Comtal on a new 2km underground alignment that will enable trains on the Barcelona – Granollers route to serve the high-speed hub at La Sagrera.
As train operator, Renfe has begun a €6m programme of accessibility enhancements at Molins de Rei. Work due for completion with 15 months included the installation of four lifts.
