The governments of Andorra and Catalonia have formally initiated a feasibility study for a pioneering cross-border tramway, a project aimed at forging a sustainable transport link through the Pyrenees. The project, named Tramvalira, envisions a tram line connecting Sant Julià de Lòria in Andorra with La Seu d’Urgell in Catalonia.
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In their first official meeting for the project, officials from both administrations convened online to formally establish the piloting committee. A statement released after the meeting confirmed this inaugural session set out the governance framework, a detailed work calendar, and the execution phases for the comprehensive study. Ultimately, the primary goal is to provide a modern, efficient alternative to private car journeys, easing road congestion and enhancing regional connectivity.
Approved in July last year, the Tramvalira initiative secured its place within the European Union’s Interreg POCTEFA 2021-2027 programme, which promotes cross-border cooperation between Spain, France, and Andorra. This project represents a significant step towards shared sustainable mobility goals for the two territories.
A Comprehensive Analysis
Specifically, the feasibility study will be a multi-faceted analysis, examining the project’s viability from technical, economic, legal, and environmental perspectives. A key component will involve evaluating various potential routes and methods for integrating the tramway into the urban landscapes of both Sant Julià de Lòria and La Seu d’Urgell.
Officials outlined that the assessment criteria will include operational efficiency, environmental impact, compatibility with existing urban planning, and the preservation of landscape quality. The tramway serves as a strategic tool to reduce dependency on private vehicles, decongest the heavily used road network, and strengthen the territorial cohesion of the wider Andorra-Pyrenees region.
This initiative gains urgency as recent events have highlighted the vulnerability of road access to the principality. Long-term closures of the RN-20 route from France underscored the economic risks of relying solely on road transport, adding pressure to find alternative transit solutions.
A Novel Funding Model
Crucially, a European grant of €329,841.56 supports the Tramvalira study, covering 45.12% of the project’s total estimated cost of over €700,000. The remaining funds are jointly provided by the Government of Andorra and the Generalitat de Catalunya.
Due to Andorra’s status as a non-EU member, it cannot currently receive such funding directly. In a novel arrangement, the Generalitat will formally receive the European funds on behalf of the project. Andorra’s contribution includes the extensive studies it is already conducting for a proposed national tram network, which will be integrated into the cross-border analysis.
This project marks a milestone for the principality, as it is the first time Andorra has taken a leading role in a POCTEFA project. Officials noted that this leadership position strengthens Andorra’s standing within European regional cooperation programmes and solidifies its shared strategy with Catalonia on sustainable mobility.
