Barcelona public transport works will dominate the city’s landscape throughout 2026, with major infrastructure projects continuing but no new station openings expected until the following year.

According to a detailed report from El Nacional, the coming year will focus on tunnel boring and station construction, particularly for the L9/L10 metro line and the FGC L8 extension.

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Consequently, residents must wait until 2027 for the next significant public transport inauguration, which will be four new L9 stations.

Major Metro Projects Define Barcelona Public Transport Works

The central trunk of the L9/L10 metro line remains the most significant ongoing project. This crucial section will eventually connect Zona Universitària and La Sagrera, linking Badalona and Santa Coloma de Gramenet with the Zona Franca and El Prat airport. After a challenging 2025 stalled by a tunnelling machine breakdown, 2026 will see the machine reactivated. Furthermore, with a planned excavation rate of 130 metres per month, the 1.6-kilometre tunnel between Mandri and Lesseps could be complete by late 2026. Work also continues on stations including Plaça Maragall and Guinardó | Hospital de Sant Pau.

Additionally, accessibility upgrades are a key part of the 2026 agenda. Stations like Verdaguer and Passeig de Gràcia are undergoing adaptations to allow access for people with reduced mobility. Meanwhile, future extension plans for the L4 to La Sagrera and the L2 to Parc Logístic remain in preliminary study phases, with no construction start date set.

FGC L8 Extension and Tram Developments

The other major project affecting the city centre is the extension of the FGC L8 line from Plaça Espanya to Gràcia. This work, which will create a vital link between the Baix Llobregat and Vallès lines, involves significant disruption. The year 2026 will be marked by moving the tunnelling machine to its launch site on Gran Via, with boring expected to begin in June. However, technical issues have already caused delays, pushing the projected service start date to 2030.

Regarding the tram network, 2026 will see limited visible action following the successful 2024 extension between Glòries and Verdaguer. The focus will shift to administrative approvals for the Diagonal connection between Verdaguer and Francesc Macià. Moreover, a participatory process is planned to design the reform of Avinguda Tibidabo, which could see the long-awaited return of the Tramvia Blau, potentially at the start of the next decade.

These extensive works continue to impact key areas like Plaça Espanya, Gran Via, and Carrer Urgell. Therefore, navigating the city will require patience, as these essential transport upgrades progress towards their long-term goals.

Rail Network and Station Upgrades

Finally, the Rodalies commuter rail network has its own major projects. The landmark achievement for 2026 will be the completion of the civil works for the future intermodal station at La Sagrera. Importantly, this does not mean the station will open to passengers, as approximately six more years of fitting out and surface urbanisation are anticipated. The adjacent technical treatment zone for high-speed trains, however, may begin partial operation.

At Barcelona Sants station, works on modernisation and expansion will continue throughout 2026 following recent surface mobility changes. The completed project, still years away, will feature new vestibules for high-speed trains on a higher level and improved access from all sides of the station. The scale of these Barcelona transport infrastructure investments underscores the city’s commitment to a more connected future, even if the benefits will materialise gradually.

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