Spain’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (Mitma) is providing EUR 185 million funding to be used for repairs and reconstruction of Valencia Cercanías and high-speed network, which faced massive damage during Dana phenomenon causing catastrophic flash flooding in the entire area.
The “extraordinary investment” of EUR 184.6 million has been mobilised to repair and rebuild the railway infrastructures of Valencia including the tracks, stations and platforms, signalling and communication systems,
On Valencia Cercanías, work that has been carried out from the outset in three shifts – day and night – and that has already allowed the high-speed connection with Madrid and 222.3 km of the Cercanías tracks of the C1, C2, C5 and C6 lines to be restored.
Starting November 27, 2024, the railway service between Carcaixent and Alzira has been restored on the C2 line, adding a new 4 km section and raising the kilometres of operational tracks to 226.3 km.
Adif is continuing to work and concentrating its efforts on completing the reconstruction on the Valencia Cercanías covering 122 km of the C1, C2 and C3 lines that are still under construction so that they are fully operational before Christmas, in the case of the C1 and C2, and partially, up to Aldaia settlement, in the case of the C3. This last line is particularly damaged, with several viaducts destroyed, such as the one in Cheste.
The investments allocated to lines C1 and C2 in Valencia exceed EUR 54 million, with the work currently being concentrated on completing the reconstruction of the Silla – Valencia and Alzira – Valencia sections.
At this time, the three tracks between Valencia Font de Sant Lluís and Alfafar have been replaced and are being tamped and welded. Between Alfafar and Massanassa, track 2 is being assembled, with track 1 already assembled, and the cleaning of supports on the Poyo ravine bridge continues, in addition to other cleaning and debris removal work. Meanwhile, at Algemesí station, the replacement of the main tracks and the cleaning of a siding track continues. Between Algemesí and Alzira, the ballast is being extended and conditioned for the subsequent assembly of track 2.
For its part, around EUR 81 million are allocated to the reopening of the C3 line, which is the most affected line of Valencia Cercanías network. At the Aldaia station and on the Aldaia – Xirivella section, the track laying and conditioning of ballast continues, as well as the assembly of the track. Adif’s objective is to take advantage of the reconstruction of the line to proceed with its electrification.
Adif has also carried out the inspection of bridges and other structures, to ensure their full operation and safety, to which EUR 1.7 million has been allocated. During these inspections, which are still ongoing, three bridges on the Valencia – Utiel line have been identified so far that will need to be completely rebuilt, at an estimated cost of EUR 27 million and includes the Barranco Grande bridge and the two over the Cheste esplanade.
Traffic on the Valencia – Madrid high-speed line has been resumed on 14 November, after an investment of EUR 16.3 million to repair the damage to the Chiva and Torrent tunnels, as well as work in specific areas. These works allowed the recovery of 149 km of high-speed track that were rendered unusable after the Storm Dana that hit the province of Valencia on 29 October.
Additionally, EUR 2.9 million have been allocated for the removal and storage, at the established points, of almost 1,300 vehicles and all kinds of belongings that had been left on the tracks. Recently, the C5 and C6 lines have been restored.
Dana devastated Valencia area during the eight hours of rain with massive flood that took 230 lives, with now more than 2,000 residents noty being able to return their home. Transport system has been destroyed with all the Valencia Cercanías and high-speed connections being shut down due to the impact.
On November 12, the Minister for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, said that works are ongoing to re-establish 99% of rail commuter services, “a very important step in the recovery of mobility in the metropolitan area of Valencia, as 82,000 passengers a day use the Cercanías network.”
Starting November 13, almost all services started to be operational by train and by bus. Of these, 52% were served by rail and 47% by road. Bus services will be free of charge.
As of November 13, 222.3 km of the Cercanías lines have been recovered after the damage caused by the devastating rains, including 125.4 km of the C6 and C5, whose service was activated on 2 November.
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