Today, Alicante train station is one of the most important transportation hubs in southeastern Spain, serving both the regional network of the Valencian Community and long-distance connections within the national rail system.
Located on the Mediterranean Corridor, the station handles millions of passengers annually, serving as a vital gateway between the coast, major Spanish cities, and international tourist flows.
In recent years, increased mobility in the region has put pressure on the existing infrastructure. Heavy rail traffic, combined with rapid urban development, has highlighted a structural problem dating back more than three decades: the physical separation of the city from its own center by a corridor of railway lines. This “urban barrier” has fragmented neighborhoods and limited the coherent development of public space.
In this context, the Alicante Central Park project emerges as a major urban regeneration initiative, designed to transform the railway infrastructure from an obstacle into a catalyst for development. It is not merely an infrastructure project, but a paradigm shift in how the city redefines its relationship with transportation and urban space.
Alicante Central Park: a EUR 420 million investment
From “urban scar” to integrated infrastructure. The project presented by Transport Minister Óscar Puente marks one of the most ambitious urban interventions in Spain in recent decades. With an estimated value of 420 million EUR, the initiative is the result of a collaboration between the Ministry of Transport, the local government of Alicante, and the Generalitat Valenciana, through the infrastructure administrator Adif.
The idea behind this project is not new; the first discussions regarding the coverage and integration of the railway area into the urban environment date back over 20 years, when the company Alta Velocidad Alicante Nodo de Transporte (AVANT) was created. Over time, several technical options were analyzed, but it was not until 2023 that a feasibility study was conducted, concluding that the project was technically, economically, and urbanistically viable.
Currently, Alicante Station is one of the most important terminals in the Spanish rail network, with high capacity and a constant flow of passengers. The recent modernization of the track area, costing over EUR 20 million, allowed for the reorganization of the infrastructure into 14 operational tracks, 10 of which are standard gauge and 4 Iberian gauge for local services.
The City Above the Tracks
Alicante Central Park is not just about covering the railway lines, but a complete reconstruction of the city’s central area. The project is structured into seven major components, each with a specific role in urban transformation.
The first component focuses on redeveloping real estate potential, with approximately 220,000 m² of land reconfigured for residential and commercial construction, strategically relocated to avoid overburdening the future park. At the same time, road traffic will be reorganized along the perimeter, removing traffic from within the central area and creating a continuous pedestrian zone.
A symbolic element of the project is the preservation of Puente Rojo, a historic bridge that will be integrated into the new urban design, retaining its identity. At the same time, the railway infrastructure will be fully covered without interrupting train traffic, allowing the project to be implemented gradually without a major impact on mobility.
Alicante Station will be relocated and redefined as the city’s “southern gateway,” directly connecting the new Central Park with the urban network and economic development zones. Additionally, the existing architectural heritage will be restored and integrated into the final ensemble, transforming the area into a mixed-use space for mobility, culture, and relaxation.
A project with regional and European impact
The project’s significance extends beyond the city limits of Alicante. In the context of the development of the Mediterranean Corridor, the city is becoming a strategic logistics hub for southeastern Spain, connecting passenger and freight flows between Valencia, Murcia, and the rest of the Iberian Peninsula.
Official estimates indicate that the central area of Alicante will gain not only green space and modernized infrastructure, but also a significant increase in economic and tourist appeal. Rail and urban integration will enable the development of new residential and commercial areas, while reducing the city’s current fragmentation.
The project is considered a long-term structural investment with direct effects on quality of life, urban mobility, and transport sustainability. Essentially, Alicante Central Park is not merely a physical transformation of a railway space, but a redefinition of how a modern Mediterranean city integrates its infrastructure into daily life.
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