The European Investment Bank (EIB) is analyzing the project to build a suburban line in Barcelona with a financial proposal of EUR 300 million, out of a total eligible amount of EUR 609 million.
The project is being implemented by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), the public rail transport operator of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Spain, and involves the construction of 4.1 km of underground railway between Plaça Espanya (Spain Square) and the Gràcia district of Barcelona, located 4 km north of Catalonia Square (in the city center). The tunnel is an extension of Barcelona’s suburban line No. 8 and also includes the construction of two stations near the Hospital Clínic and Francesc Macià, an important entry point into the center of Barcelona.
In 2023, Ferrovial, in consortium with Sacyr, Copisa, and Copcisa, won the contract to extend Barcelona’s suburban line by building the tunnel and underground stations, as well as renovating existing stations. The contract was awarded by FGC and is worth EUR 300 million.
Work began in the same year and is expected to be completed in 2028, when the Llobregat-Anoia line extension will be connected to the FGC network, reducing travel time by eliminating the need to change trains.
The line will be operated by FGC, and the aim of the project is to improve access from the Llobregat–Anoia metric gauge railway corridor, known as Metro Line 8, which is also part of the Barcelona commuter rail network, with sections also dedicated to freight traffic. The project will also strengthen connections with the tram and metro system, as well as other suburban rail lines, and will increase the accessibility of public transport, particularly in the eastern part of the Eixample district.
The investment is intended to improve access to the city center and create new connections in the train and metro networks. The developer estimates that up to 24 million passengers per year will benefit from this new section, which will lead to travel time savings and additional positive effects.
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