Adif promotes the integration of the railway in Torrelavega by setting in motion the necessary preliminary step to address the project: the tender for the construction of the temporary detour, which will channel the railway service while working so that the current layout of the Santander-Oviedo metric width line passes through the city through a tunnel.
The construction of this provisional 1.4 km line represents a great technical challenge: it will fit the only available space through a strict design and with the minimum affectation to the environment, which will return to its current situation when the detour is removed. The investment in this action is estimated at 5.2 million euros.
The provisional detour will take place in the so-called ‘north arch’ of the city, in the corridor that forms the streets Lucio Marco and Antonio Bartolomé Suárez and the riverbed of the Saja Besaya. Its construction includes, in addition to its electrification, a viaduct on the Sorravides junction, the extension of the pedestrian walkway of the Saja River and a right side screen.
Once the works for the current railway line to run underground are completed and put into service, this detour with all its infrastructure and elements will be lifted and the area of the ‘north arc’ will return to its current situation.
With the implementation of this temporary detour, Torrelavega will continue to have the same rail service of all types of trains while the integration work of the railway in the city is undertaken, which affect the current route and the Torrelavega–Centro station.
New urban space for citizens
Adif advances in the Proximity Plan of Cantabria and takes a decisive step with an action contemplated in the agreement of December 2018, and its addendum of 2022, signed by the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (Mitma), Adif, the City of Torrelavega and the Government of Cantabria.
The railway integration project in Torrelavega includes the renewal of the route of 1.8 km of the metric width line as it passes through the city (between the steps at the level of Paseo Niño and Calle Pablo Garnica), so that it will be channeled underground, in addition to the construction of a new underground station and the adaptation of the current passenger building.
The project is completed with a new parking, also underground, the urban transformation of the new spaces that the action generates for the city and its integration into the environment.
This action contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9 (promoting reliable, sustainable and quality infrastructure; 11 (inclusive and sustainable cities) and 8 (contributing to economic growth and job creation).