- · They will define the transformation of the Abando Indalecio Prieto Intermodal Station and its accesses for the arrival of the new high-speed line, as well as the actions for the commissioning of the provisional roadblock in Basauri.
- · The approved solution is the East alternative for the access corridor, which departs from the Galdakao-Basauri section and runs to the underground station in more than 6 km.
- · Strategic infrastructure: in addition to the arrival of high speed, it will enhance the urban connection between the neighborhoods on both sides of the station and their social and economic development.
The Council of Ministers, at its meeting today, has authorized the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (Mitma) to tender, through Adif Alta Tiempo, the contract for the drafting of studies and projects of the transformation of the Bilbao Abando station for the arrival of the new high-speed line to the capital of Biscay.
The contract, with an investment of 20,497,749 euros (VAT not included), will define the studies, basic projects and construction projects of the new Abando station, as well as the actions for the commissioning of the temporary roadblock in Basauri and the relocation of the railway services and facilities currently located in the Abando station.
In addition, it will consider the actions to ensure maximum operational coordination with the technical working groups: one for the new Abando station (composed of the Mitma, Basque Government, Bilbao City Council and Adif/Adif AV) and another for the temporary roadblock in Basauri (composed of the Mitma, Basque Government, Basauri City Council and Adif/Adif AV).
As a result of the institutional collaboration between the administrations, reflected in the signing, on February 9, of the protocol between the Ministry, the Basque Government, Bilbao City Council, Adif and Adif-AV; and the coordination of the technical working groups, a strategic infrastructure will be developed for the city of Bilbao; a challenge that goes beyond the arrival of high speed in the capital of Bilbao and that will also enhance the urban connection between the neighborhoods located on both sides of the station and their social and economic development.
All the actions of the contract will be aligned with the provisions of the Informative Study, after the public information process, as well as the environmental impact statement.
The definitive solution, approved by Mitma’s General Subdirectorate of Railway Planning, opts for the East alternative for the access corridor, which starts from the Galdakao-Basauri stretch and runs to the underground station over more than six kilometers.
In addition, the planning of the work will be carried out under the premise of keeping the current railway services operational.
Actions to be defined in a first stage
In the first stage, the main actions will be established for the correct development of the studies and the drafting of the basic and constructive projects.
Among them, the constructive alternatives of the provisional apeadero in Basauri will be addressed, which will allow the implementation of high-speed services in the vicinity of Bilbao, while the works of the transformation of Abando are developed. This new temporary roadhouse will involve the refurbishment of the Train Overtaking and Parking Station (PAET) in Amorebieta.
In addition, field work planning and geological and geotechnical tests will be carried out.
The transformation of the Abando Indalecio Prieto Intermodal Station is proposed with a new underground lobby, which will give access to the two levels of tracks, which will be accessed from the historical marquee.
It also includes the basement of the two beaches of roads on two overlapping levels: the upper level for neighborhoods and metric width, with 4 platforms and 10 routes; and a lower one for high speed, with 4 platforms and 8 routes.
The project will address the rehabilitation of the entrance hall from Calle Hurtado de Amézaga, the historic vault and the Concordia Station, in order to value the historical buildings of the station, ensure maximum permeability and integration with the urban environment and optimize pedestrian and road connections with the station.
The action also includes the transfer or relocation of the station’s current facilities and the relocation of the units and their staff.
From an urban point of view, the subsidy of the railway infrastructures will allow to connect the street networks and the neighborhoods located on both sides of the station and to build a new area of public use on the roads with garden elements, which will improve the quality of life of the citizens. To this end, we have worked, in a joint and coordinated way, with the City Council and the Basque Government so that the arrival of high speed is integrated and compatible with the urban development of the city.
Jobs in a second stage
In the second stage, overlapping with the previous stage, the construction projects for the development of the temporary apeadero in Basauri and the works of transformation of the Abando station will be addressed.
This project contributes to the fulfilment of several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 9 (promoting reliable, sustainable and quality infrastructure); 11 (access to safe, accessible and sustainable transport systems); and 8 (contributing to economic growth and employment).