Infrastructure news – Page 11
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NewsADIF to manage rehabilitation of cross-border tunnel between France and Spain
EUROPE: Spanish infrastructure manager ADIF is to take responsibility for reconstruction of the Somport tunnel between Spain and France following agreement with the Nouvelle-Aquitaine région.
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NewsWorld Bank approves US$930m to modernise Iraq’s railways
IRAQ: The World Bank has approved US$930m of financing for modernisation of a key rail corridor.
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NewsSwiss railway agrees ETCS upgrading framework contract
SWITZERLAND: BLS has agreed a long-term framework contract with Siemens Mobility covering the installation of ETCS Level 2 across its network.
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In depthSignalling: Using CBTC as an energy-saving tool on London’s Elizabeth Line
Siemens Mobility has used a section of London’s Elizabeth Line fitted with CBTC to study how its Trainguard MT technology has enabled revenue earning trains to save energy without compromising the customer experience.
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NewsRail to benefit from €106bn German infrastructure renewal spend by 2029
GERMANY: The federal government has approved the first tranche of rail asset renewal funding as part of a national infrastructure spending drive worth up to €500bn across the economy.
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NewsTrains return to ‘the Queen of the Pyrénées’ with plans for hydrogen traction
FRANCE: The 36 km branch from Montréjeau-Gourdan-Polignan to Bagnères-de-Luchon in the southwest of the country reopened for passenger services on June 22 after an 11 year closure.
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In depthCroatia: Investment brings a better railway
Croatia’s state-owned passenger operator HŽPP has bounced back from the Covid-19 pandemic, with investment in new trains and improved services helping to position it to compete with new entrants after 2028, CEO Željko Ukić explains to Toma Bačić.
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Rail Business UKCompetition & Markets Authority launches rail civil engineering review
UK: The Competition & Markets Authority has launched a market study into opportunities to improve public procurement to make the design, planning and delivery of rail and road infrastructure more cost-effective.
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NewsCasablanca suburban rail project and freight improvements secure funding
MOROCCO: The World Bank approved a US$350m financing package on June 9 for the Greater Casablanca Mobility & Logistics Hub, which aims to improve railway infrastructure and increase rail services in the region around the city.
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In depthWorld Speed Survey 2025: China still ahead as Whoosh joins the club
Railway Gazette International’s biennial survey of the world’s fastest scheduled passenger trains finds that no less than seven countries now run trains at more than 300 km/h, but China is still the global frontrunner in the speed stakes. Jeremy Hartill investigates.
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In depthSimulators: Football fan feature helps new entrant gain ground
Polish simulator specialist SIM Factor is now delivering its largest order of 32 simulators for UK train operator Northern, using its own hardware and software, as the manufacturer explained to Benjámin Zelki in Warszawa.
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NewsNarrow gauge turnouts supplied
CZECH REPUBLIC: Track supplier DT Výhybkárna a Strojírna has produced two 600 mm gauge turnouts for a project to provide a cross-platform interchange between the national rail network and a heritage line.
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NewsUruguay to draw up railway master plan
URUGUAY: An agreement to draw-up a master plan to revitalise and modernise the national railway system has been signed.
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In depthChina: High speed family gets ready to move faster
China’s first lines designed for 400 km/h operation are now under construction, and two 450 km/h variants of its domestically developed Fuxing high speed train family started test running earlier this year. Toma Bačić investigates.
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NewsMonopoly commission recommends splitting-off German railway infrastructure
GERMANY: The monopoly commission says infrastructure manager DB InfraGO should be separated from the rest of Deutsche Bahn.
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NewsTrack machines custom-designed for Australia
AUSTRALIA: Plasser Australia is supplying Australian Rail Track Corp with five track maintenance machines custom designed to suit local conditions.
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NewsČD to launch 200 km/h Pendolino operation
CZECH REPUBLIC: National operator ČD is undertaking final works to enable the maximum operating speed of its Pendolino sets to be raised from 160 km/h to 200 km/h.
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NewsDiscontinuous electrification for Rheinland-Pfalz
GERMANY: Discontinuous electrification is to be rolled out on lines in Rheinland-Pfalz to allow battery-electric multiple-units to replace diesel trains from 2026 onwards.
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In depthHigh speed: Alto aims higher
Canada’s Toronto – Québec City passenger rail project is to be taken forward as a dedicated high speed line requiring up to 1 000 km of new alignment. However, many challenges must be overcome to make the plan a reality, as Nick Kingsley explains.
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NewsThornlie – Cockburn Line east-west link opens in Perth
AUSTRALIA: Perth’s Transperth suburban rail network has expanded with the opening of the Thornlie – Cockburn Line, providing an east-west link between the north-south Mandurah and Armadale lines.