An official statement released on Tuesday announced a service contract aimed at conducting studies for the O Porriño – Portuguese Border section of the Atlantic Axis in the province of Pontevedra, Galicia.
The contract’s objective is to determine the layout between the section analyzed in the ongoing study of Vigo’s southern exit and the infrastructure being defined by Portuguese administrations south of the Minho River, according to the statement from the Spanish Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
A feasibility study will be conducted, which includes a preliminary analysis of alternatives, a demand study, and a cost-benefit analysis from a socioeconomic perspective to support decision-making, as well as an information study. This will incorporate the analysis of different layout alternatives with the necessary detail for public consultation, environmental impact assessment, and final approval.
Valued at 835,000 euros, the contract involves the provision of engineering services (consultation and assistance) to carry out the mentioned public consultation procedures, administration hearings, analysis of objections, and, if applicable, obtaining the Environmental Impact Statement until the final approval of the Information Study.
For the Spanish ministry, this study signifies a new advancement in building a strategic international connection for Galicia, Spain, Portugal, and Europe, by continuing the high-speed Atlantic Axis between A Coruña and Lisbon.
For the Madrid government, the study reaffirms the commitment to Galicia and, in particular, to Vigo, where improvements in its connection with the national high-speed network and technical actions on infrastructure in the Redondela area are being analyzed.
The start of this information study is another step in enhancing rail connections between Spain and Portugal, in accordance with the commitment endorsed by both countries at the XXXV Luso-Spanish Summit, held in Faro in October 2024, stated the ministry led by Óscar Puente.
On the Portuguese side, the preliminary study’s submission for Environmental Impact Assessment (AIA) is awaited, which Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) plans to conduct this year.
The first phase (Porto-Soure) of the high-speed line in Portugal is expected to be completed by 2030, with the second phase (Soure-Carregado) planned for completion by 2032, linking to Lisbon via the Northern Line.
The Porto to Vigo connection in Galicia, Spain, scheduled for 2032, will include stations at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, Braga, Ponte de Lima, and Valença (district of Viana do Castelo).
In total, according to the former government, the investment costs on the Lisbon-Valença axis are estimated at seven to eight billion euros.
