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Date Published: 22/05/2024

25 million invested in expanding Alicante train station and tracks

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Ten new train tracks will prepare Alicante for even more high-speed rail services

25 million invested in expanding Alicante train station and tracks

Spain's central government has kicked off the revamp of Alicante's railway station by authorising the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility to award a contract worth 25 million euros for improving and increasing the number of train tracks through Adif.

The work will incorporate six new standard-gauge tracks, increasing the terminal's capacity for handling high-speed trains, thereby "consolidating the position of the capital of Alicante as a strategic point of the Mediterranean Corridor," according to ministry sources.

The complicated project has been in the pipeline for quite some time and recently, Adif has been putting pressure on the powers that be to completely overhaul the service. That was after it judged the conventional line between Alicante and Murcia to be operating under the worst conditions in the country, despite averaging an occupancy level of 63% – one of the highest in Spain.

At the moment, three different railway lines merge at Alicante’s rather small station, namely the Madrid-Alicante LAV, connecting with the Monforte del Cid-Murcia LAV, the narrow-gauge Alicante-El Reguerón (linking Murcia) and La Encina-Alicante (connecting Albacete/Valencia).

The long-distance segment consists of 4 standard-gauge tracks and 2 narrow-gauge tracks, served by 3 platforms, whereas middle-distance and suburban traffic utilise 5 narrow-gauge lanes and 3 platforms, as explained the Ministry.

In the future, taking advantage of the space between the Long Distance tracks and the Medium Distance/Commuter tracks, the station will have 10 standard gauge tracks (through the construction of 4 new ones and the conversion of 2 to conventional gauge) equipped with 5 platforms; and 4 tracks of conventional width with 2 platforms.

Besides track modifications, the upgrade includes adjusting platforms, updating electrifications and enhancing the passenger terminal building to cater to growing user demands.

This will involve setting up new check-in and maintenance areas and installing soundproof barriers in the north and south sections.

Increasing the size and functionality of Alicante train station could also finally pave the way to a direct train from the city to Alicante Airport. Last month, agreements were reached between Adif and Aena, Spain's airport management company, to include a stop at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airport as part of the railway branch from the current Cercanías C-1 line between Alicante city and Elche, a project that is expected to be completed by 2030.

In other news: Alicante flight to UK forced into lockdown on landing

Image: Renfe

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