Adif has deployed the second track on the Palencia – León high-speed section, a key link connecting high-speed rail to Asturias. This project involves an investment of EUR 95.2 million, almost entirely mobilised, and responds to increased traffic resulting from the network’s expansion and liberalisation.
The works consist of installing the second track and its electrification, including laying all necessary components along a 41.5 km stretch that is currently single track, from the Leonese municipality of Bercianos del Real Camino (Las Arenas rail junction) to approximately 5 km south of León (Vilecha junction).
The Villada (Palencia) train passing and parking point is also being enabled, with the installation of a second siding track along with its connections and switches. Additionally, a new overpass for pedestrians and vehicles is being constructed over the high-speed line and the conventional track near the hamlet of Trobajo del Cerecedo. This new crossing, which replaces the existing one, will improve the reliability of the railway and enhance its integration and accessibility within the local community.
To meet the schedule for the double tracking Palencia – León high-speed section, Adif started works at the end of 2024 and is progressing according to the planned schedule. The ballast bed has already been laid and sleepers distributed along the entire section, and track installation is complete over one third of the route (14 km). All electrification masts have been installed (except on viaducts), so that once the track is finished, the overhead lines and other equipment can be fitted.
Once completed, the high-speed line between these two Castile and León capitals will have double track along 75% of its length with 85 km out of a total 114 km, from Las Barreras Junction, about 30 km from Palencia, to the outskirts of León. This will enhance both reliability and capacity, enabling a greater number of rail services to and from Asturias and León.
Currently, Adif is completing the first phase of the works, during which traffic has been maintained on a single track between Villada and the Vilecha junction. In the second phase, started in June until the end of September, traffic between Vilecha and León (7 km) will operate on one of the two tracks (track 1) to connect track 2 and the Vilecha gauge changer to the new double-track section. For this phase, a new high-speed turnout will be installed, signalling equipment will be adapted, and these systems will be tested, while the facilities associated with the existing turnouts at Las Arenas and Vilecha will be adapted to the new double-track section. The interlocking software will also be updated, tests of the new configuration will be carried out, and work will progress on the Trobajo del Cerecedo overpass.
With this project, Adif is increasing the capacity of the northern high-speed corridor to accommodate a greater number of services originating from and destined for Asturias and León.
Additionally, this work complements other simultaneous projects, such as the doubling of the northern high-speed exit at Valladolid – Campo Grande station, the expansion and refurbishment of the station itself, and the construction of a connection from this corridor to the high-speed corridor to Galicia, known as the ‘Olmedo U’. This will enable transversal high-speed services across the northern half of the country.
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