Link: https://www.railfreight.com/infrastructure/2025/06/13/spain-puts-out-to-tender-over-100-million-euros-for-the-algeciras-zaragoza-rail-highway/

Spain puts out to tender over 100 million euros for the Algeciras-Zaragoza rail highway

The Algeciras-Zaragoza rail highway is the main future project for rail freight in Spain. To further develop this initiative, Spain has recently put out two tenders for a total value of 107 million euros, roughly 20 per cent of the total funds for the project.

Both projects concern the upgrade of the current signalling systems with ERTMS components.The first worth 60,4 million euros, is to upgrade the Valchillón-Torres Cabrera-Fuente de Piedra section, where the Automatic Block Signalling and the Centralized Traffic Control systems will be installed. The second project, worth 46,6 million euros, entails the modernisation of signalling between Embid de la Ribera and Épila. Here, the electronic interlockings will be renovated.

Algeciras-Zaragoza rail highway

The future Algeciras-Zaragoza rail highway will be a service dedicated to the unaccompanied rail transport of semi-trailers and swap bodies. This initiative will create a rail link between Spain’s largest port and its main logistics hub that is expected to pick up significant flows from the road and boost the modal shift. However, the project has encountered many hiccups throughout this preparation phase.

The main investments along the Algeciras-Zaragoza axis regard signalling, sidings and the adaptation of tunnels and overpasses for the transport of semi-trailers. However, works have been taking a little longer than expected. Initially, the launch of the service was planned for the end of 2024. After being indefinitely postponed, a partial opening date for the Madrid-Zaragoza stretch is planned for the beginning of 2026, while the full opening might be at the end of next year.

Another slight problem is that costs have now increased by over 10%, from an initial planned investment of 468 million euros that now is over half a billion euros. Despite this, there are some positive developments, such as the delivery of the first three locomotives from Stadler to Rail & Truck, the company which will operate the rail highway service. The deal also includes four more locomotives and 120 wagons suitable for semi-trailers.