Else Beekman
After years of planning, political wrangling, and delays, it’s finally happening: the high-speed AVE rail line to the Basque Country is picking up speed. Spain’s rail infrastructure authority, Adif, has awarded contracts this week to construct seven crucial sections between Burgos and Vitoria. The total investment? Over 2 billion euros.
This is no simple stretch of track. The first section, between Pancorbo and Ameyugo, has been allocated a budget of more than €439 million. Nearly 80% of it will consist of tunnels and viaducts. The adjoining stretch between Ameyugo and Manzanos is also underway, with a further €467 million in investment.
“We’re dealing with complex terrain and high technical demands,” said an Adif spokesperson. “But the result will be a connection of European calibre.”
Why is this AVE line so significant?
This AVE line is significant because it’s the missing link in the northern high-speed corridor of Spain. The route will connect Vitoria to the wider AVE network and France. It also brings the long-anticipated Y Vasca – the high-speed triangle linking Bilbao, San Sebastián, and Vitoria – into a decisive phase.
For commuters, business travellers, and tourists alike, this means faster and more sustainable mobility. And for the Basque Country: finally becoming a full part of Europe’s high-speed rail system.
“A gamechanger for the north”
For many residents in northern Spain, this feels like a breakthrough. “We’ve been waiting for better connections for years,” says Iker Mendieta from Vitoria. “With the AVE, travelling to Madrid or Paris will be much easier – and therefore more appealing.” Economically, too, the new line holds promise. Faster connections can attract businesses, streamline logistics, and boost tourism.
According to Spain’s Ministry of Transport in 2024, the full stretch between Burgos and Vitoria is expected to be completed by 2027. At that point, the AVE will finally be able to surge deep into the Basque Country – and beyond.