{"id":265696,"date":"2025-08-12T18:56:46","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T08:56:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=65022"},"modified":"2025-08-12T18:56:46","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T08:56:46","slug":"spain-puts-out-tender-for-madrid-basque-country-rail-highway-upgrade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=265696","title":{"rendered":"Spain puts out tender for Madrid\u2013Basque Country rail highway upgrade"},"content":{"rendered":"

The project to launch a rail highway service for non-cranable semi-trailers between Spain\u2019s 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 J\u00fandiz, near Vitoria-Gasteiz.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>The line, stretching for 528 kilometres through Azuqueca, Valladolid, Burgos and J\u00fandiz, 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Map
Map of the Madrid\u2013Basque Countries railway highway. Image: \u00a9 Spanish Ministry of Transport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rolling highways in Spain<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n