By Ashley Karen
With the inauguration of the new line between Xàtiva and Nudo de la Encina, Adif, the Spanish rail infrastructure administrator, is making advancements in the Mediterranean Corridor construction.
The standard gauge line between Xàtiva and Nudo de la Encina contains work finished on the track superstructure, ballast layer, catenary, track devices, management systems traffic, and signaling control.
In the first phase of the project, it will construct a 46km route, using an investment of €505m ($539.8m). This section features two tunnels, seven viaducts, two overpasses, three underpasses, and transversal drainage works as the main structures.
As stated, the rail operator is “already working on a second phase, to which €245m will be allocated, to adapt the double-track route to high speed and connect the capitals of the region on standard gauge.”
The next phase will modify the double track at high speed, resulting in an interoperable system capable of handling high-speed circulations.
In addition, this segment will have high-speed signaling, security, telecommunications, and centralized traffic management systems, like the ERTMS Level 2 train protection system.
Adif claims that the Mediterranean Corridor is a “strategic” initiative that will ultimately become the main route for Spain’s ties to Europe.
Over €2bn has been invested in the Corridor since June 2018, with this program forming one of the 50 contracts now being carried out and projects in the award process exceeding €1bn.
