Spain’s state-owned railway infrastructure manager, Adif, has awarded contracts worth €3.7 million to kickstart a major overhaul of the railway system in and around Figueres. The investment will fund the crucial design and planning stages for new infrastructure and a comprehensive remodelling of the strategic Figueres-Vilafant station.
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The contracts represent the first tangible step in a far more ambitious project, which stems from a protocol signed last July. This wider agreement involves the Spanish Ministry of Transport, the Generalitat de Catalunya, Adif, and the local councils of Figueres and Vilafant. Adif, in a statement reported by Europa Press, announced the total investment for the entire scheme is expected to exceed €150 million.
Connecting Networks and Enhancing Safety
The plan’s central component is a new railway variant. This new line will seamlessly connect the high-speed network (AVE) with the conventional rail network. Adif officials state this integration will significantly improve regional mobility and promote sustainable transport, ultimately contributing to a reduction in CO2 emissions.
The project also prioritises enhancing local safety and urban integration. The upgrade promises to eliminate two level crossings within Figueres. This measure will likely increase safety for pedestrians and railway traffic, thus improving the railway infrastructure. Such changes are often critical for improving the quality of life in towns divided by railway lines.
These infrastructure investments come as Adif manages complex challenges across the Catalan network. These include handling the gradual transfer of the Rodalies service to the Generalitat, which required creating a dedicated Adif team for Catalonia. Adif also combats persistent issues like copper cable theft that can cause widespread disruption.
A Modern Hub for Figueres-Vilafant
The Figueres-Vilafant station, a key stop on the high-speed line connecting Madrid and Barcelona with Perpignan in France, is set for a major transformation. The plan aims to convert the building into a “functional and accessible reference point.” The remodelling seeks to improve conditions for all users, from daily commuters and long-distance travellers to the staff who operate the station.
This focus on upgrading major transport hubs mirrors similar large-scale urban development projects in Catalonia, such as Barcelona’s ambitious €260 million plan for the Sagrera green metropolitan hub, which also integrates transport infrastructure with public space.
The investment in Figueres is part of a broader push by Adif to modernise Spain’s rail system. The company has allocated record-level funding for improvements across the country, signalling a strong commitment to rail as a central pillar of its future transport strategy. By advancing the design phase with this €3.7 million allocation, Adif is laying the groundwork for a project that will redefine rail travel in the Girona province for decades to come.
