Adif Alta Velocidad (Adif AV) has initiated the testing phase for new standard gauge tracks at La Sagrera station in Barcelona, signaling progress towards integrating high-speed train services into the station's infrastructure by the end of the year. This development is a crucial phase in the construction of one of Spain's largest railway projects, aiming to accommodate high-speed trains within the station's structure.
The testing involves specialized railway machinery running along the newly constructed tracks, which have been equipped with necessary electrification, telecommunications, signaling, and security systems, including ERTMS and GSM-R. The tests are part of the broader effort to transition high-speed rail operations from open-air tracks to the station's interior.
Key features of the station's development include the installation of a unique roof structure, which covers the central part of the station, and the completion of four out of eight inverted pyramid-shaped modules. The station is designed to house high-speed trains on the third floor, with regional Rodalies services on the first floor, and passenger amenities and parking on the second floor.
To ensure the structural integrity of the high-speed rail level, load tests are being conducted using heavy locomotives and hopper wagons. These tests are designed to assess the structure's stability and elasticity, verifying that it returns to its original position after the loads are removed. Following these tests, further assessments will be carried out to ensure the ERTMS system's functionality using empty high-speed units.
The completion of the initial phase of testing is expected to pave the way for high-speed trains traveling between Barcelona, Girona, and the French border to begin operating within the station by the end of the year. This transition is anticipated to improve the visual and environmental landscape for residents in the surrounding area.
Additionally, by the end of the year, four of the ten tracks in the Technical Train Treatment Zone (ZTTT) will become operational. Located at the northern exit of La Sagrera, these tracks will be used for essential train logistics activities such as parking, cleaning, and supply, tasks currently managed at Sants station. The ZTTT is expected to be fully operational by 2026.
The ongoing work, which is approximately 70% complete, is part of a larger effort to promote sustainable and integrated mobility within the city, supported by European Union funding through the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan.
