This interruption, announced by Renfe, will primarily affect passengers on the section where the works will be concentrated. The works, contracted on an emergency basis to accelerate timelines, aim to reinforce the structure of two tunnels, one in the municipality of Valls and another in La Pobla de Montornès.
According to Adif, the tunnels, built almost a century and a half ago, show significant deterioration. Analyzed documentation reveals the presence of transverse cracks and a slight bulging of the vault in one of the tunnels near La Plana-Picamoixons station, heading towards Valls. At the exit, three more significant cracks are observed, along with friction and occasional missing pieces.
“"Three transverse cracks of greater significance are observed, due to their development and opening, while there is friction and occasional missing pieces. This is the most notable pathology of the tunnel lining."
The report also details the degradation of bricks and mortar, with cases of complete lack of grouting that could lead to material falling. However, a risk of structural collapse is not anticipated. Decades of lack of preventive maintenance have left original elements, such as wooden sleepers, showing signs of humidity and deformations in the vault.
Another highlighted problem is that the tunnels' clearance, designed for 19th-century trains, has become obsolete for some current machines, causing trains to rub against the vault. To address this, Adif will remove part of the ballast layer to adapt the trains to the existing clearance. The works will include the injection of an anchored steel mesh and new linings to stabilize and waterproof the interior of the tunnels. Additionally, the closure will be used to carry out preventive maintenance on two additional tunnels in the municipality of Salomó.
