Os governments of Portugal and Spain ea European Commission agreed on a set of actions that will allow move forward with the railway connection between Lisbon and Madrid by 2030com five hour tripannounced today the Ministry of Infrastructure.
“Portugal and Spain took a decisive step to bring the Iberian capitals even closer, with the definition of a set of concrete actions that will allow the establishment of rail links between Lisbon and Madrid by 2030, with a travel time of around 5 hours, and a high-speed connection — around 3 hours — by 2034”, informed the ministry led by Miguel Pinto Luzin a statement.
Specifically, the “Iberian strategy” has as goals, until 2030a direct connection between the two capitalsthe completion of works on the new high-speed line between Évora and Caia by 2025 and entry into operation in 2026, the entry into operation of the Plasencia–Talayuela (Cáceres) section by 2028, the start of construction of the second track between Poceirão (Palmela) and Bombel (Vendas Novas) in 2026, with completion by 2029 and operation in 2030, and also the completion of studies for the new Lisbon–Évora line, including the Third Crossing over the Tagus by 2027.
Already until 2034 is planned move forward with a high-speed connection between Lisbon and Madridcom travel time of about three hoursas well as the construction of the new Lisbon–Évora high-speed lineincluding the Third Crossing over the Tagus ea duplication of the Évora–Caia line“if the need is justified”, detailed the Government.
It is also planned, until that date, the implementation of the European rail traffic management system (European Rail Traffic Management System – ERTMS) in several stretches between Lisbon and Madridas well as the preparation of studies and eventual construction of the new high-speed section between Caia and Badajoz and the Elvas–Badajoz International Railway Stationon the border between the two countries.
This project is part of the European strategy for sustainable mobility and cross-border rail interconnection“involving structural investments in infrastructure, technological modernization and railway interoperability”, highlighted the Ministry of Infrastructure.
“The development of the high-speed rail network is essential to promote more sustainable, efficient and environmentally responsible mobility, especially on shorter international trips”, representing an alternative for passengers on more than 40 daily flights between the two Iberian capitalsthe statement concludes.