SPAIN: With the exception of the final 2·3 km into Vigo, where design studies are underway, contracts have now been awarded for all sections of the 155·6 km A Coruña – Santiago de Compostela – Vigo route upgrade.
Opening of the 13·1 km Portela – Vilagarcía de Arousa section on July 20 brought the total of new or upgraded infrastructure in service to 67·5 km. Cutting 22 km from the existing route, the project included new double-track alignments designed for future conversion from 1 668 mm to standard gauge. Electrification work will begin shortly.
The Ministry of Development has awarded Ferrovial Agromán a €82·1m contract for civil works on the 8·5 km Rialiño – Padrón section, including a 1·5 km tunnel, 254 m on viaduct and a new station at Padrón-Barbanza. Civil works on the 8·3 km Vilagarcía de Arousa – Catoria section, including 4·5 km in tunnel, are being undertaken by Acciona Infraestructuras and Obras Subterráneas for €126·4m, while FCC and Contratas y Ventas are building the 8 km A Vacariza – Rialiño section for €91·4m.
Tendering is also underway for the high speed line that will connect Santiago with Madrid via Ourense, Lubián and Zamora. Sando and Arcebansa have been awarded a €23·8m contract for civil works on the 11·1 km Olmedo – Pozal de Gallinas section, while tenders are to be called for the 32·6 km Perilla de Castro – Otero de Bodas and 30·3 km Otero de Bodas – Cernadilla sections, within budgets of €116m and €109·2m.
