Spain’s Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, has confirmed that the Mediterranean Corridor high-speed rail link will be fully operational by 2027.
This will allow high-speed train travel from Almería to the French border without changing trains in Madrid.
Progress on the Mediterranean corridor
Speaking at a Valencian PSOE congress, Puente highlighted the advancements made on the Línea de Alta Velocidad (LAV) under Pedro Sánchez’s government. He emphasised the need to maintain current efforts and criticised the inaction during the previous PP administration.
Investments since 2018
In 2018, 60% of the corridor was at phase zero. Now, 100% is either under construction or planned. In 2024 alone, €1.28 billion was tendered for infrastructure projects, contributing to a total of €7.4 billion since 2018. Since June 2018, the Spanish government has issued tenders worth over €7.2 billion via ADIF, the railway infrastructure manager, with a record €1.4 billion in 65 contracts for 2024.
For 2024, €1.28 billion has been allocated to the corridor, the priority axis linking the French border to south-eastern Spain. This represents a 33% increase from 2023. The LAV between Almería and Murcia has seen the largest investment, with €384.3 million spent by November, projected to exceed €400 million by year-end.
Investment and construction details
The LAV route, including integration works in Almería, Lorca, and Murcia, has averaged a weekly investment of €7.6 million over the past year. The total budget for the 200-kilometre route stands at nearly €2 billion, covering four completed sections and ten under construction. There will be four passenger stations located in Almería, Vera, Lorca, and Murcia.
Tenders and infrastructure development
Tenders cover construction projects, train protection systems, traffic management, fixed telecommunications, and energy supply for the Murcia-Almería and Pulpí-Águilas lines, with a combined value exceeding €254 million.
Current status of Almería sections
ADIF considers the Murcia-Almería line a strategic part of the Mediterranean Corridor, requiring an investment of €3.5 billion. Three of the eight sections in Almería are completed. The Lorca-Pulpí section and the second phase of railway integration in Almería are less advanced but progressing quickly.
Significance for passenger and freight transport
The Mediterranean Corridor will greatly enhance connectivity between Andalucia, Murcia, Valencia, and Catalonia. It will serve as a critical link for both passenger and freight transport, fostering economic growth and promoting sustainability in the connected regions.
Also read: Spain celebrates major progress on the Mediterranean Corridor high-speed rail link