This constant surveillance is the sole mission of these operators, such as the one stationed at the exit of a tunnel in Arenys de Mar, observing the adjacent slope. These teams are part of the contingent of workers dispatched from different parts of Spain and subcontracted companies to guarantee the safety of the infrastructure.
The combination of permanent surveillance and temporary speed limits is crucial to prevent the total closure of circulation at risk points. On the Maresme line, for example, between Arenys and Canet de Mar, trains must reduce their speed from 70 km/h to just 30 km/h across five sections. The restriction is even more severe between the tunnels of Sant Pol and Calella, where trains operate at “sight speed” (10-20 km/h) due to possible track deformation.
The situation is replicated throughout the network open to rail traffic, with limitations everywhere that are responsible for the generalized delays.
Parallel to the crisis, the Government (Generalitat) and the Ministry of Transport agreed to create a weekly working group to monitor inspections and ongoing works. This group seeks to reinforce coordination and transparency, involving key figures such as the Minister of Territori, Sílvia Paneque, the Secretary of State for Infrastructure, José Antonio Santano, and the presidents of Renfe, Álvaro Fernández Heredia, and Adif, Luis Marco de la Peña.
Adif's goal is to resolve some of the 30 critical points identified over the weekend to recover passenger circulation in some of the ten closed sections starting next Monday. Meanwhile, AVE travelers and freight traffic continue to suffer severe disruptions due to cuts in Rubí and Gelida.
