The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has given a significant boost to the development of railway infrastructure in Spain by announcing the tender for two contracts for the construction of the new southern railway access to the Port of Castellón. This initiative, representing an investment of over 13 million euros, aims to connect this strategic infrastructure to the Mediterranean Corridor, more efficiently and sustainably uniting intermodal freight transport.
According to the announced planning, Adif Alta Velocidad will allocate 10.6 million euros for the railway track assembly and another 2.46 million for the catenary installation. These tenders are an integral part of the ongoing works, which also include the construction of the platform on which these crucial components will be installed.
The project involves a total investment of 335.5 million euros and covers a railway section of 8.3 kilometers in length. This single-track, electrified and mixed-gauge corridor is designed exclusively for freight transport and will be able to accommodate trains of up to 750 meters, providing a vital boost to the connectivity and competitiveness of the port in the logistics sector.
The superstructure tasks include the construction of an initial railway platform and the installation of mixed-gauge track devices, as well as the direct connection of the new access to the Mediterranean Corridor. A relevant aspect of the project is that all facilities affected during the construction process will be replaced.
The electrification of this new track, operating at 3 kV, will depend on the Sagunt-Castelló section and a future specific electric substation for the new railway connection to the port. The contract for the catenary installation also includes the implementation of a remote control system for energy management.
The project’s development is divided into two phases. The first phase focuses on the execution of structures such as slabs and piles, and the completion of the tunnel and an overhead passageway, as well as the open-pit dismantling task, which is already 90% complete. The second phase involves the creation of an intermodal station, as well as earthworks and the construction of overpasses over existing networks and the N-225 road.
This ambitious project is part of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan of the Spanish Government, which is integrated into the broader strategy of the European Union through the NextGenerationEU program. In addition to improving national infrastructure, the project is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, promoting a more sustainable infrastructure and enhancing Spanish ports as essential centers of logistics and attraction for private investment.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
