The country’s infrastructure authority, Infraestruturas de Portugal, has agreed a EUR 120 million contract to upgrade the 69 km Vendas Novas line, with works scheduled for completion within 47 months.
An official ceremony marked the start of the project, attended by the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz; the Chairman of IP’s Board, Miguel Cruz; the Mayor of Vendas Novas, Ricardo Videira; and the Vice-President of Infraestruturas de Portugal, Carlos Fernandes.
The main objectives are to modernise the railway infrastructure and expand the stations to allow trains of up to 750 metres in length, optimising operational efficiency and strengthening the rail link between the Port of Sines, national logistics hubs, and Europe.
The contract includes replacing the track superstructure with multifunctional concrete sleepers and 60 E1 rails, extending and renovating the technical stations at Muge, Agolada, Salgueirinha, Lavre, and Vidigal, and rehabilitating six additional stations. It also covers the preparation of 17 km of track bed and the construction of 69 hydraulic passages. Six level crossings will be closed, and four elevated road crossings built with full infrastructure restoration, while nine level crossings will be automated. Supporting infrastructure for signalling and telecommunications systems will also be installed, along with upgrades to buildings and technical rooms.
The Vendas Novas line runs for 69 km, from Setil, where it intersects the North Line, to Vendas Novas, where it connects with the Alentejo Line, crossing six municipalities. It is a key north–south freight corridor, allowing trains to bypass Lisbon, which faces two major constraints: load limitations on the Ponte 25 de Abril and congestion on the Belt Line, especially the North Line.
The total investment for modernising the line and adapting infrastructure and signalling systems is estimated at EUR 204 million. Once complete, the line and stations will accommodate 750-metre trains, increasing freight capacity by 50% by 2050 and reducing CO₂ emissions by over 500,000 tonnes.
The project is co-financed with €108 million through the Climate Action and Sustainability 2030 Programme, part of Portugal 2030. It forms part of the Plano Nacional de Investimentos 2030 (National Investment Plan), maintaining strategic relevance while supporting decarbonisation, interoperability, and long-term logistics competitiveness.
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