Adif is making progress in renovating the Zafra-Huelva conventional gauge line (180 km) with the aim of increasing the reliability, regularity and speed of traffic on this line that connects the provinces of Huelva and Badajoz. The investments mobilised are close to EUR 210 million.
Among other works, the company is undertaking the structural reinforcement of five bridges (Río Ardila, Río Múrtigas, Galapera, Tallisca I and Tallisca II) in the province of Huelva. The work consists of cleaning and repairing and installing new waterproofed concrete reinforcement decks, which requires the dismantling of the track. In four of the bridges, the foundations are also being reinforced.
Two of these structures, Tallisca I and II, are located within a Special Protection Area for Birds, which means that work must be stopped during the breeding season of two protected species, the black stork and the black vulture.
In parallel, cross-drainage works are being carried out at points in Badajoz and Huelva, which will improve the evacuation of water from the road.
Zafra-Huelva line: Comprehensive renovation and improvement of travel times
As for the comprehensive renovation of infrastructure and track, it is being addressed in five sections (90.5 km) and, among the main actions, the track renovation with ballast, 60 kg rail and concrete sleeper and the improvement of the longitudinal and transverse drainage network stand out.
From north to south, the first section runs around the Jabugo-Galaroza station, where the renovation is being carried out on 9 km. In this section, the track switches at Jabugo station are also being replaced, slopes in cuttings and embankments are being protected to prevent landslides, drainage is being improved and tunnels and the underpass over the HV-1111 road are being repaired.
In the second section (33 km), in the area around Calañas station, the station’s track yard is being modified, replacing the track switches and demolishing its central platform. The infrastructure is also being improved, protecting slopes from excavations and embankments and repairing tunnels and structures.
On the Calañas – Peguerillas section (41 km), in addition to the complete renovation of the tracks, there are also the sidings at Calañas and Gibraleón stations. At these stations, the wooden sleepers are replaced by concrete switches. In addition, as in the rest, the drainage network is improved, the slopes are protected from excavations and embankments and the repair of four bridges is undertaken.
On the Valdelamusa-Huelva section (8 km), the work has already been completed, as well as on the section between Peguerillas and Huelva Cargas (7 km), where, in addition to the track renewal, work has been done on the drainage and underpasses.
With this set of actions, up to 14 speed limits implemented on the line will be removed, with the consequent improvement in travel times.
Security, signaling and communications installations
In the field of traffic control, signalling and telecommunications systems, the implementation of the Automatic Release Block on Single Track (BLAU) is being undertaken, which will operate with Centralised Traffic Control (CTC) from the Traffic Regulation Centre (CRC) in Seville and will replace the telephone block. To do this, mechanical interlocks are being replaced by electronic ones of the latest technology.
This action is being carried out on the Zafra-Huelva line, as well as on the Zafra-Llanos de la Granja line in Badajoz, intended for freight traffic.
Automatic blocking is complemented by the deployment of GSM-R, the standard telecommunications system chosen by the main European railway companies. This will improve the safety and reliability of railway operations by installing a radiotelephony system that allows voice communications between the train and the CRC. In addition to its installation on the Zafra-Huelva Mercancías and Zafra-Llanos de la Granja lines, it will be implemented on the Zafra-Los Rosales section, together with the centralised operation of the line.
The work is completed with the installation of new field elements: signals, beacons, and train detection equipment using axle counters; and the work prior to laying power and fiber optic cables is being undertaken.
Improvements in level crossing protection
The technological improvements implemented have a positive impact on the protection elements of thirteen level crossings.
Specifically, these level crossing elements are being renewed at numerous locations along the line, in others automatic class A2 protection is being installed (light and acoustic signalling) and others, located on the Zafra-Jerez de los Caballeros section, are being renewed.
European funding for the Zafra-Huelva line
This action contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9, which includes the development of reliable, sustainable and quality infrastructures.
The renewal of the Jabugo-96+430, 96+430-Calañas, Calañas-Peguerillas, Valdelamusa-Huelva and Peguerillas-Huelva sections, and the implementation of GSM-R on the Zafra-Huelva Mercancías and Zafra-Llano de la Granja lines have European funding through the “Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. Financed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
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