The government delegate in Cantabria, Eugenia Gómez de Diego, has visited the works of duplication of the railway line between Santander and Torrelavega, in which the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility is investing 139.7 million euros.
After the visit, Gómez de Diego highlighted the "progress and dynamism" that can be seen in the works. As explained, ADIF has started a new stage with the construction of the platform of the second line and its electrification in the Renedo-Guarnizo stretch (1.8 km).
To adapt to the complex orography, the public entity attached to the Ministry of Óscar Puente has designed a concrete slab supported by more than 80 piles to be able to channel a section of the road in Parbayón, where three concrete screens have been built to secure the side near the line.
"The works of duplication of the road between Santander and Torrelavega are advancing at a good pace. Every day we see more clearly the advances that bring us closer to the objective of the Government of Spain to significantly improve the railway infrastructure of Cantabria," he said.
30 kms track duplication
The construction project between Santander and Torrelavega (29.5 km), framed in the actions of improvement of the Palencia–Santander axis, includes all the actions in platform, track and electrification necessary for the implementation of a double electrified track.
With this action, the Madrid-Santander travel times will be improved, the capacity and reliability of the infrastructure will be increased, also for goods, rail transit will be favored, speeding up maneuvers and crossings of the different services, and the road will be prepared for the expected increase in traffic with the arrival of high speed.
As part of this work, the Ministry will also build a lower crossing to eliminate the crossing at the Parbayón level, adapt the Torrelavega station and the Parbayón and Guarnizo walkways, and install eight new interlocks between Mataporquera and Bárcenas.
Proximity Plan
These works are part of the Commuter Plan that has been designed and is being implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility to completely renew the network of Commuters of Cantabria, with an investment that exceeds 1.3 billion euros.
As the delegate of the Government stated, "for the first time, Cantabria has a clear and concise planning for the transformation of its network of Neighbourhoods". "We are implementing this Plan as planned, with a volume of investment never seen and putting an end to years of abandonment of the PP Government. The commitment of the Ministry of Transport and Adif is tangible in every phase of this ambitious project," said Gómez de Diego.
The works dealt with by Adif are of great magnitude and, sometimes, work will be done on the existing track or next to it, which makes them incompatible for operational and safety reasons with the railway circulation during the month of August. "We are aware of the impact that these works can have on travelers. Therefore, we have planned each phase to minimize the inconvenience and ensure that economic activity, especially in the Port of Santander, is not affected. This project is an investment in the future of Cantabria and in the quality of life of its inhabitants", he concluded.