The development of rolling highway services between Spain’s largest port in Algeciras and Zaragoza is a key step for the modal shift in the Iberian country. However, constant obstacles have hindered launch of this project, and now costs have risen to over 500 million euros.
Up until now, the estimated investment needed for the realisation of this initiative was set at 468 million euros. However, in its latest note, the Spanish ministry of transport claimed that the plan is “endowed with more than 500 million euros”. The higher costs add insult to injury, as the start of rolling highway services between Algeciras and Zaragoza was initially planned for the end of 2024, but has now been indefinitely postponed.
New contract awarded
A rolling highway allows the transport of semi-trailers by rail. To do this, the infrastructure needs to be adapted, especially when it comes to tunnels and overpasses. The Spanish ministry and the country’s infrastructure manager Adif are working to put out tenders and assign contracts to this end. Recently, a contract for 26,5 million euros was awarded for the adaptation of 13 tunnels along the section between Córdoba and Santa Cruz de Mudela.
Other recent developments regarding the launch of the rolling highway between Algeciras and Zaragoza include 45 million euros for sidings and switchgear. In addition, Rail & Truck, the company which will operate the future service, received its first locomotive from Stadler. Despite this, the constant uncertainty about the launch of the initiative and the many infrastructure upgrades taking place simultaneously are having a negative impact on rail freight traffic to and from the port.