Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) has signed the modernisation contract for the Celorico da Beira – Guarda rail section on the Beira Alta Line which integrates the Northern International Corridor.
The consortium comprising Conduril- Engenharia/Teixeira Duarte – Engenharia and Construções/ Somafel – Engenharia e Obras Ferroviárias was awarded a EUR 53.11 million contract for the construction works expected to be completed within 2 years.
The project consists of integral renovation of the track superstructure on a 46 km rail section, the widening and extension of the platforms at Celorico da Beira, Pinhel, Vila Franca das Naves and Guarda stations which will provide increased access for passengers. The track layout at the stations will also be changed to accommodate 750-meter-long trains, from currently 500-meter-long trains and to also determine the increase of train frequency, thus raising the number of trains using the rail route.
Within the scope of the contract, work will also be carried out to remove the level crossings at Celorico Gare and Baraçal.As crossing alternatives, the construction of the corresponding unevenness and restoration will be carried out, which guarantee better safety conditions for users.
The Celorico da Beira – Guarda rail modernisation is part of the Ferrovia 2020 strategy under which the Portuguese rail network will be expanded and improved. The project has received CEF funding under the 2015 call for proposals for the Beira Alta line (Pampilhosa-Vilar Formoso) detailed design and works. EUR 547.74 million was the total eligible cost of the project, with a EUR 375.86 million EU contribution representing a European percentage of 69%. The action which received this co-financing is part of the global project that aims to contribute to achieving an interoperable connection between Aveiro and Vilar Formoso (Spanish border) through upgrading works of the Pampilhosa-Vilar Formoso section of the Beira Alta line (202 km).
This summer, the IP has signed a EUR 43 million contract for the modernisation of Cerdeira – Vilar Formoso section on the Beira Alta Line.
The modernisation of the Northern International Corridor will promote the interoperability with the Spanish and European rail networks, the increase of freight train transport capacity allowing 750m and 600m-long trains on the Beira Baixa Line, the elimination of train limit speeds, the introduction of electric trains on the entire Beira Baixa Line with the electrification of the Covilhã – Guarda section. In addition, the project will improve safety conditions by removing the level crossings and installation of the electronic signage. All these will increase the capacity along the Beira Alta Line from the current 14 trains of 500m to 20 of 750m, which corresponds to an increase in capacity of more than double the current one.
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