Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) is currently elaborating the environmental study for Soure – Carregado high-speed rail section, part of the Porto – Lisbon HSR, for which is also carrying out public consultation this month.
The Soure – Carregado high-speed rail section will be 115 km long is part of the second phase (Lot C) of Polrtugal’s HSR project for which works are expected to begin in 2027 and completed in 2032.
From Carregado, the line will be continued to Lisbon on a 37 km section which will be constructed under phase 3 which will enter commercial operation after 2032.
The first phase of the project connects Porto (Campanhã) and Soure on a 142 km line split into two sections: Porto – Oiã (Lot A) and Oiã – Soure (Lot B), both expected to be completed in 2030 with an estimated investment of EUR 3.7 billion. In October 2024, a concession agreement has been signed for the 71 km Porto – Oiã section and competition for the second section between Oiã and Soure is underway.
The design, construction and maintenance concession contract was signed for 30 years including a 5-year period of design and construction work and has a value of EUR 1.95 billion.
Infraestruturas de Portugal is also preparing the launch of tenders for this second phase including the connection between Soure and Carregado, and phase one of the Porto – Vigo HSR, between Porto (Campanhã) and Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, and between Braga and Valença, are also being prepared.
Recently, Infraestruturas de Portugal commissioned a cost-benefit analysis and an interoperability study for the Porto-Lisbon high-speed rail, aiming to select the best option for the gauge variant. The assessment would be completed in 2026. The completion of the study will be necessary to request the Commission to allow the construction of the line with Iberian gauge, but also to ensure it complies with European regulations.
In January 2024, when the tender for the first section of the high-speed line was launched, the general characteristics of the future built on a double track in the Iberian gauge, were presented.
The Iberian gauge was selected because the section between Vigo and A Coruña, the high-speed line in Spain, has already been constructed with Iberian gauge. Additionally, the Spanish government has announced that it will not convert this line, as it is used for multiple functions in Galicia.
The high-speed rail link between Porto and Lisbon, to be built in Iberian gauge, will be fully integrated with the conventional rail network, being connected to it in several locations, which makes the new line, directly or indirectly, available to a large territorial area, which extends far beyond the main axis where it will be located.
This way, it also becomes possible to take advantage of the current stations, enhancing greater proximity to urban centres as well as establishing a greater number of interfaces with other railway services or other modes of transport. In addition, the existing railway stations along the route will be adapted, not only to accommodate the dedicated high-speed trains, but also to provide new services suitable for passengers. The final implementation of the project will allow a reduction in travel time between the two cities, from the current 2h49 to 1h15 on a non-stop journey.
In 2024 Portugal’s first high-speed rail project secured important financing resources. A EUR 813 million were provided by the EU through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF2), for the Porto/Campanhã – Oiã section (first phase of the project), while EUR 3 billion is the financing covered by the European Investment Bank.
The new high-speed line will significantly improve the accessibility of regions along the route, which could lead to increased investment and development in towns and cities that are currently less connected. This includes the potential for tourism growth, as people will find it easier to travel between Porto and Lisbon, as well as other areas along the way.
The project to create the high-speed rail network in Portugal follows European guidelines regarding the decarbonisation of the transport sector and increasing high – speed rail connections across the EU for which the European Commission has set a target of doubling high-speed passenger rail traffic by 2030 and freight rail traffic by 2050. The construction of Portuguese high – speed rail network, in full complementarity with the conventional rail network, aims to decisively boost the rail sector, recognising it as an essential means of meeting the mobility needs of the population and increasing the productivity and competitiveness of the business sector established in Portugal.
In May 2024, the Council of Ministers Resolution and the Government officialy recognised through a resolution, the strategic importance of the high – speed rail link between the two Iberian capitals, mandated IP to bring forward all necessary studies to ensure the completion of the link between Lisbon and Madrid in 2034, with a target travel time between the two cities of around 3 hours. The first phase of this project, the connection between Évora and Elvas, is already under construction and should be completed this year 2025.
High-speed network in Portugal
Porto – Lisboa and Porto – Vigo high-speed rail lines are expected to be completed in 2032, followed by Lisbon – Madrid, in 2034. The first phase of this project, the connection between Évora and Elvas, is already under construction and should be completed in 2025.
Porto/ Campanhã – Vigo high-speed railway will have new stations in the country at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, in Braga, in Ponte de Lima and in Valença. It will be constructed in two phases with the first one covering Porto – Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport and Braga – Valença, with connection to the Braga branch line near that city. The second phase involves the link between Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport and Nine municipality, where it will follow the Braga branch line. The entire line will be fully operational from 2032 when the trains will deliver a 50-minute journey between Porto and Vigo, from the current 2 hours and 20 minutes.
The Porto – Lisbon and Porto – Vigo high-speed railway lines are key components of Portugal’s “Transport and Mobility” chapter of the National Investment Programme 2030. This initiative is a strategic part of the country’s efforts to modernise and expand its transport infrastructure, with a total of EUR 11 billion allocated for railway projects. These investments aim to enhance connectivity between major cities, improve the efficiency of the rail network, and reduce travel times, fostering greater economic integration within Portugal and with neighboring countries. The development of these high-speed lines is expected to significantly boost regional development, promote sustainable mobility, and contribute to the country’s long-term environmental and economic goals.
Lisbon – Madrid high-speed railway will be implemented into three distinct phases with the first one between Évora and Elvas expected to be in operation by the end of this year. The second phase involves the connection between Lisbon and Poceirão, including the Third Crossing over the Tagus River, on the Chelas – Barreiro axis. This new rail crossing over the river will provbide increased capacity and competitiveness for long-distance rail services between Lisbon and the southern region and an improvement in the rail service on the Lisbon – Setúbal axis.
The phase 3 will connect Poceirão and Évora.
This new line will allow a 1-hour journey between the Portuguese capital and the Elvas/Badajoz border and a 3-hour journey from Lisbon to Madrid. In addition, IP is studying the possibility for a road and rail access to the new airport in Lisbon.
The implementation of the Lisbon – Madrid high-speed rail link will allow a travel time of around one hour between the Portuguese capital and the Elvas/Badajoz border, and a maximum travel time between the two Iberian capitals of around three hours. In November 2024, the Ministers of Transport from Portugal and Spain signed an agreement for the development of the high-speed rail linking the two capitals on the Atlantic Core Network Corridor.
Once completed, all of these high-speed rail projects will transform Portugal’s transport landscape significantly enhancing the country’s connectivity, sustainability, and economic potential, contributing to both regional and national development while aligning with broader European transport and environmental goals.
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