The Knot Has Finally Been Untied in the Porto-Lisbon High Speed ​​Train: The First Pickaxe Is Hit

A concrete step has finally been taken in the Porto-Lisbon high-speed railway line, which has been expected for months as "it has already started". The Environment Agency (APA) has given the green light for the first stage of the project. Normally, the first digging was planned to be done at the beginning of this year, but as you know, the process took a little longer due to bureaucracy and project revisions. Still, it is pleasing that the calendar is on track without any further delays.

There was serious bargaining and project negotiation in the background. The AVAN Norte consortium, led by Mota-Engil, wanted to make some radical changes in the first stage between Porto Campanhã station and Oiã in Aveiro. They had plans to build two separate bridges over the Douro River instead of one giant bridge, and to move the Gaia station from the tunnel to a point close to the surface. However, APA rejected these changes at the end of last year on the grounds that they "departed from the original environmental impact report."

The companies were forced to step back and stick to the original project that was first planned. As a result, APA; It granted RECAPE (Environmental Compatibility Report for Construction) approval on the condition that a single mixed (road/rail) bridge over the Douro, an underground station at Vila Nova de Gaia and an expansion of the Campanhã station be built.

Technical adaptations were inevitable, especially since the tunnel passages on the Gaia and Negrelos side pass through highly urbanized areas. In addition, in line with the demands of local people and municipalities, 41 new road connections and parallel service roads were added to the project in order to prevent the infrastructure from dividing the region into two. In other words, the details have been stretched a little more according to the field realities.

All Eyes Are Now on the Second Stage

The construction of this first section of 71 kilometers is imminent, and the goal is to start the first flights in mid-2030. However, there is a tremendous bidding war going on behind the scenes. Another giant group, including the AVAN Norte consortium and the Spanish Sacyr, is competing for the second stage between Oiã and Soure. The tender process was slightly delayed, just like the first part, but the decision is expected to be made in the first quarter of next year.

Ultimately, we are talking about a huge investment of 2.4 billion euros, dozens of viaducts and tunnels. It takes time for the rails to settle, but it is good to see the first concrete step for this line, which will seriously shorten the distance between Porto and Lisbon.

Source: Expresso (compiled from Natasha Donn news)

Photo: Michael Bruxo / Open Media