Spanish infrastructure manager Adif is investing 52,8 million euros for track renewals along 43 kilometres of railway between Bobadilla and Ronda. This section will be part of the Algeciras–Zaragoza rail highway, expected to be launched in 2026.
The renovation project includes the adjustment of tunnels and overpasses to allow the transit of freight trains carrying semi-trailers; replacing the rail superstructure; and the implementation of 74 cross-drainage structures. Similar works have already completed between Almoirama and Ronda and are underway along the Almoirama–Algeciras branch.
Over half a billion euros invested
The Algeciras-Zaragoza rail highway will be an unaccompanied combined transport service, similar to the one already in place between Valencia and Madrid launched last year. A link between Algeciras and Zaragoza would connect Spain’s largest port with one of the main logistics hubs in the country. In total, more than 500 million euros will be deployed to adapt the infrastructure.
The project has run into a few hiccups since its announcement. Initially, the rail highway service should have started by the end of 2024 but was postponed to the end of 2026. The cost of the project has also increased from the initial estimation of 468 million euros to over 500. Other than the financial impact, the works to adapt the Algeciras–Zaragoza axis hampered rail freight in the area, with significant impact on traffic to and from the Spain’s largest port.