The Minister of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition, Sílvia Paneque, has visited the start of works for the suppression of the level crossing of the Llobregat-Anoia line of Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC) in Igualada and the urban integration of the railway line up to the municipality's station. This action will involve burying a section of the line as it passes through the urban center and improving the urban integration of the infrastructure and mobility in the environment, providing the municipality with more public space.
The minister highlighted that the burial is a "turning point in safety, connectivity with Vilanova del Camí, and in urban terms, in the capacity for space regeneration". She added that the current level crossing involved 10,000 vehicles daily, representing a significant step forward in safety. The project, with an execution period of 28 months for its first phase, has an estimated total investment of 41.5 million euros.
The main objective is to bury the railway crossing from the Riera d’Òdena bridge to the Igualada station, which will also be buried. This will eliminate the current level crossing on Avinguda Montserrat, reclaim 7,500 m2 of public space, reduce the urban and acoustic impact, and improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility between Igualada and Vilanova del Camí through a new footbridge over the Riera.
The works include burying 417 meters of track, constructing a new station with a central platform, fixed and mechanical stairs, and an elevator. Additionally, 21,000 m2 of surface area will be urbanized, and a 70-meter-long, 4-meter-wide metal footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists will be built.
“"Ferrocarrils is an infrastructure that generates opportunities and equality between people and the territory. And, beyond all the urban actions and the generation of opportunities for the residents, it is also a step forward in terms of sustainability and climate."
“"Igualada needs to connect through the train with the rest of the country and, above all, to avoid this division of two Igualadas. For decades, Igualada and the railway have lived with their backs to each other, and today, we begin this dialogue between the railway and the city."
