In 1986, when Spain became an EU member state, the authorities decided to allocate massive investments for the modernisation of the railway network, focusing on the construction of high speed rail. The goal to radically transform its railway infrastructure, the implementation of new projects and the massive investments allocated for the construction of high speed rail have turned Spain into the number 1 country in Europe in terms of high speed rail length.
Up to the present time, Spain has operated 2,064 km of standard-gauge high speed rail, linking 21 cities (40% of the population). By 2020, ADIF, the Spanish rail infrastructure manager, plans to build a railway station (for high speed transport services) in less than 50 km from the homes of 90% of Spain’s inhabitants.
“We believe that providing a high-quality sustainable transport system is the best way to promote social cohesion. In 2011, we estimate that high speed rail transport will increase by 2.3 million passengers. High speed rail development has contributed to the contact increase in passenger traffic, without however reducing the number of passengers who continue to use the conventional railway system”, said Joaquin Jimenez Otero, Director International Relations ADIF, for Railway Pro.
The new Madrid-Valencia rail link has become a historical point of reference: its 2,600 km have turned Spain into the number 1 country in Europe in terms of high speed rail length, placing it even ahead of France.
Despite the restrictive budgets, ADIF will continue to invest in high speed rail in order to supply an efficient and safe transport system that can attract a higher number of passengers, objectives that have also been set through the collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works. To that end, “we have encouraged investments and project optimization and we will transfer 58% of the Public Works budget to the transport sector”, said
Minister of Public Works Jose Blanco Lopez.
ADIF plans to develop new projects for the construction of high speed rail. The implementation of some of these projects will be done through public-private partnership, increasing the involvement of private companies.
More than 1,500 km of high speed rail is currently under construction and for 1,000 km projects have been developed which are now at the stage of elaborating the feasibility studies.
EUR 17 Billion for the next 2 years
For 2020, ADIF plans to have under its care 4,495 km of high speed rail. Spain’s political segment has clearly showed its support for high speed transport: through the Infrastructure and Transport Plan, by 2020, 48% of the total budget will go to this sector. Therefore, “during 2005-2020, rail transport will benefit from EUR 120 Billion worth of funds, which represents 0.7% of the GDP; for 2011, the budget allocated for high speed transport will be of EUR 4.48 Billion. The 2007-2010 multi-annual contract signed between ADIF and the state also supports the development of high speed transport”, added Joaquin Jimenez Otero. The Extraordinary Infrastructure Plan established in 2010 through PPP stipulates an investment of EUR 17 Billion for the next 2 years, 70% of the financing being allocated to rail transport. “One of the most important projects will be the tender organised for the access link to Galicia, the Olmedo-Lubián-Ourense section and the superstructure and maintenance works for 25 years. The next tenders will be organised for the Albacete-Alicante section and the construction of the Vialia railway station in Vigo”, added Otero.
by Pamela Luică
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