New 20-Kilometer Tunnel Proposed to Link Manresa and Barcelona in Under an Hour

Experts suggest a direct rail link between Sant Vicenç de Castellet and Martorell to cut travel times.

Generic image of a railway tunnel in a mountainous area.
IA

Generic image of a railway tunnel in a mountainous area.

Architect Manel Larrosa and engineer Josep M. Sisó have unveiled a technical proposal to connect Manresa and Barcelona by train in under sixty minutes using a new tunnel.

The project envisions a 20-kilometer tunnel connecting Sant Vicenç de Castellet with Martorell. This high-speed link would allow trains to travel at 180 km/h, cutting the current 30-minute journey through that section to just 9 minutes.
Estimated at 700 million euros, the authors argue the project is more viable than current government plans. The route would include new stations in Esparreguera and Monistrol, significantly improving regional connectivity.

"This is not a utopian promise, but an option that costs less than the ongoing works in Montcada i Reixac."

Manel Larrosa and Josep M. Sisó · Proposal authors
The proposal aims to integrate the Bages region more effectively into the Barcelona metropolitan economy by drastically reducing travel times and improving freight access to the port and airport.