SPAIN: The Ministry of Development and the Valencia regional government have unveiled a 2010-20 suburban infrastructure investment plan to which they are to contribute €34bn and €555m respectively.

Major projects include a €750m cross-city link in Valencia running 6 km from the existing Nord terminus to join the route to Castelló de la Plana via new stations at Aragón and Universitat. This will use a new double-track mixed-gauge tunnel being built under the city for high speed and conventional services.

Under a project costing €400m, the existing single-track line between Alacant and Elx used by RENFE suburban route C1 is to be rebuilt as a double-track 1435 mm gauge route for suburban and high speed services. A new alignment at Torrellano will mean that trains no longer have to reverse at San Gabriel, and a station will be built to serve Alacant airport.

Doubling and electrifying the 36 km Valencia – Buñol section of route C3 has been budgeted at €280m, and the 24 km Xàtiva – Moixent section of Valencia route C2 is to be doubled at a cost of €150m. Route C3 in Alacant is to be extended from Sant Vicent Centre to Villena at a cost of €80m, and in Valencia route C6 from Castelló de la Plana to Benicàssim at a cost of €20m. A total of €525m has been allocated to modernising the existing network, including track renewals, electrification and installation of ETCS and GSM-R.

Under the joint Tren de la Costa programme, the Ministry of Development will be providing €190m to double the 26 km Cullera – Gandia section of route C1, and €370 to build a 32 km extension from Gandia to Dénia. The Valencia regional government is providing €513m for an 82 km Dénia – Alacant route that would be used by suburban and high speed services. Valencia’s Infrastructure & Transport Minister Mario Flores said studies for the Dénia – Alacant route should go out to tender in 2011 so that construction work could begin within three years.