The project, which had been on hold for over fifteen years, involves the construction of approximately 250 kilometers of new railway network. This Wednesday, the Generalitat took a significant step by announcing the commencement of the technical studies required for its construction, marking a relevant administrative milestone.
The line will initially connect Lleida and Igualada via Cervera. Subsequently, it will split into two branches: one heading towards Girona, passing through Manresa and Vic; and another connecting to Barcelona through Martorell and Vallès, with a station yet to be defined.
The Minister of Territory, Sílvia Paneque, emphasized the "absolute necessity" of this infrastructure for "territorial balance" and to boost "freight movement" in inland Catalunya.
The public company Infraestructures Ferroviàries de Catalunya (Ifercat) will undertake the study, which will update a 2010 document. This report will analyze the terrain, define the route, assess feasibility, estimate costs, and evaluate environmental impact. The tender for this study is valued at 1.1 million euros and is expected to be completed by the end of 2028, taking 28 months. Construction projects, with an investment of 5.46 million euros, are slated to begin drafting from 2030 onwards.
A notable addition to this first phase is its connection with national ministry plans, including an entry into Barcelona via the future La Sagrera station. This branch aligns with the proposal by the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, to study a new AVE high-speed rail connection between Lleida and Barcelona La Sagrera that bypasses Camp de Tarragona. This alignment aims to prevent project duplication and optimize resources, allowing AVE trains from Madrid to reach Barcelona via this new route.
This railway axis is part of the 2050 Transport Infrastructure Plan for Catalunya. According to Paneque, the new connection will enhance "capacity, efficiency, and territorial balance," playing a crucial role in decongesting the Ebro and Mediterranean corridors, which are expected to complete their works by 2027.
