The project to launch a rail highway service for non-cranable semi-trailers between Spain’s capital and the Basque Countries is closer to reality. Once operational, the plan is to have 18 weekly trains running between the Azuqueca Dry Port, northeast of Madrid, to Júndiz, near Vitoria-Gasteiz.
The line, stretching for 528 kilometres through Azuqueca, Valladolid, Burgos and Júndiz, will need to be upgraded to accommodate the transit of semi-trailers. To do this, 37 rail structures, including 29 tunnels and four overpasses will be adapted, the Spanish ministry of transport said.
The tender for this project has now been put out after positive results from the feasibility study. Concerning the tunnels, the infrastructure needs to be lowered by up to one metre. The four overpasses will have their decks, piers and abutments replaced. The ministry is hoping to start operations next year.
Rolling highways in Spain
Currently, there are two rail highway services in Spain: one connecting Barcelona to the French border via the Perthus Tunnel (on standard gauge) and one between Valencia and Madrid (on Iberian gauge). The country seems to have embraced such services, as it is working on many more. For example, the service between Valencia and Madrid should soon get extended into Portugal.
Another one of the most important rail highway projects will be the one connecting Algeciras with Zaragoza, planned for the end of 2026. The costs for adapting the infrastructure along this link will end up being over half a billion euros. Many of the other planned rail highways aim at connecting Spanish ports to Madrid and other important logistics hubs such as Zaragoza.