Work on the first 4 km of a light rail network in the Spanish city of Vitoria is due to begin at the end of this year. Tender specifications will be prepared by the Basque Department of Transport & Public Works this summer. EuskoTren has been chosen to promote, build and run the line, but private-sector involvement has not been ruled out. The initial section will cost Pts2·9bn, including the 5 LRVs.
From Lakua in the northwest, the first section will run via the central district to the city’s bus station, with 10 stops. The 2·8 km of double track and 1·2 km of single track are expected to carry 21500 passengers a day. Line 1 will later be extended to form a circular route around the city, whilst Line 2 would run from Zabalgana to Betoño, interchanging with Line 1 at San Antonio and Paz.
- Bilbao is completing studies for a light rail line from San Mamés metro station to the exhibition grounds at Atxuri, near the terminus of EuskoTren’s Bilbao - Donostia route, using Renfe’s Olabeaga - La Naja alignment. This is to be released under the Ría 2000 project (RG 3.97 p153); trains would run to Abando, via new stations at San Mamés, Autonomía and Ametzola. o
