Railway operator Adif has begun the first tests on the high-speed tracks of the future La Sagrera station. The action represents a significant step towards the operation of this important railway node in Barcelona. Five high-speed tracks are expected to be operational before the end of the year. 
Authorities detailed that of the total number of tracks, one will be used for traffic and the other four for logistic tasks. This development is in addition to the fact that the first passenger trains on conventional tracks began running through the station at the end of 2020.
High-speed roads
Initial tests on the high-speed tracks have begun with the use of railway machinery. This machinery is performing tours of the infrastructure. This is in order to evaluate its condition and operation. Those responsible have stated that these tests are crucial to ensure that, in the near future, high-speed trains will be able to operate safely on these tracks.
During a visit to the construction site, Alberto Alcañíz, head of construction at La Sagrera, explained that after this first phase of loading tests, the ERTMS signaling and safety system will be verified. He also commented that high-speed trains without passengers will be used.
It should be recalled that the commissioning of the new station has suffered several postponements in the calendar. Although the authorities have not set a new definitive date, it is expected that by the end of the year high-speed trains running between Barcelona, Girona and the French border will begin to pass through the interior of the La Sagrera structure. However, they commented that this will be without stopping at the platforms. This despite the fact that the platforms have already been completed.
Railway complex
This preliminary operation is possible thanks to the completion of the first phase of works for the high-speed service. This first phase has included the construction of four service tracks in the Technical Train Treatment Zone (ZTTT) and a traffic track on the sea side of the railway complex.
The ZTTT aims to decongest Sants station, currently overloaded with six tracks for train logistics. These new facilities at La Sagrera, located just ten minutes away, will enable essential tasks to be carried out. These include cleaning the wagons, changing the crew and provisioning on-board services. Specifically, actions that improve the operational efficiency of the rail network.
To date, Adif has reported that nearly 70% of the budget of more than 1.1 billion euros allocated to the La Sagrera railway infrastructure has been executed. The works have included the installation of catenary and other electrification systems, as well as telecommunications, signaling, ERTMS and GSM-R safety equipment, and civil protection equipment. In total, 4,900 meters of track with 9.8 kilometers of rail and 3,690 cubic meters of concrete will have been built.
As for the station building, construction of the 23,400 square meters of the unique roof that will cover the central part of the structure is expected to be completed in the coming months, with half of the sea side already completed. This progress is essential for the completion of the station, which has been a project in development for more than 20 years since the construction company was formed.
La Sagrera
La Sagrera station, once completed, will become an important connection point in Spain’s high-speed rail network, relieving congestion at other stations and improving the operational capacity of the rail network in Catalonia. Its development has been a long and complex process, but recent tests and construction progress indicate that the station is finally in the home stretch towards its inauguration.
Image courtesy of https://www.adif.es, all rights reserved.
