ADIF aims for first phase of Mediterranean corridor in weeks
Spanish state-owned railway infrastructure manager ADIF has started work to complete the Mediterranean Corridor between València and Alicante and aims to put the first phase into operation on September 9th. Rail infrastructure manager ADIF is working with sister organisation Adif AV, which focuses on high-speed rail development, to add high-speed links between the three capitals of the Valencian Community in Spain.
This first phase involves a new platform built on a 46-kilometre stretch of Iberian gauge track between Xàtiva and Nudo de la Encina. It follows an investment of 505 million euros. To ensure continuity of standard gauge in the Corridor, both ends of the route will join contiguously at the platform.
On the south side, the connection with the Albacete-Alicante HSV will require the extension and conditioning of the Valencia-Albacete (5 km) and Albacete-València (7 km) branches on a single track; and, on the north side, the connection will be linked with 650 metres of tracks at Xàtiva station, from where it will connect with the platform already built to the connection with the Madrid-Valencia HSV.
A second phase involves adapting double-track layout on the route to high speed, at a cost of 245 million euros, and will allow full connection in standard gauge.
“The execution of the Mediterranean Corridor has become a lever for economic recovery and return on investment, estimating that for every euro invested in the execution of this infrastructure there will be a return of 3.5 euros,’ a spokesperson for ADIF Commented.
The project is expected to It boost GDP in the country by as much as 2.2% in the country until 2030. ADIF forecasts that more than 4 million citizens, along with a growing number of potential tourists, will be able to connect to the European network, through Valencia and Barcelona.
