Horta rail tunnel plans have dramatically resurfaced as Catalonia’s government reconsiders major transport infrastructure projects previously shelved.
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The Generalitat has launched a tender for preliminary studies on the long-discussed tunnel that would connect Vallès with northern Barcelona through Collserola, marking a significant policy shift.
Horta Rail Tunnel Study Commissioned After Years of Delay
The project was effectively buried in 2020 through a modification of the Metropolitan General Plan. However, the return of socialists to the Territory ministry has breathed new life into the ambitious scheme. Consequently, the regional government is now moving forward with commissioning an informative study to assess the tunnel’s viability and potential benefits.
This proposed railway connection would serve Sabadell and Terrassa while passing through the Autonomous University of Barcelona campus and connecting with Horta. Furthermore, it would provide continuity to the future Sagrera station and potentially extend to Poblenou, creating a comprehensive transport corridor.
Meanwhile, the infrastructure master plan for this decade also prioritises decisive steps toward constructing a second FGC tunnel parallel to the existing Vallvidrera passage. This alternative project would strengthen the connection between Sant Cugat and Barcelona while potentially reducing travel times for Sabadell and Terrassa commuters by up to 15 minutes.
The government intends to gather comparable information for both the Horta tunnel and Vallvidrera expansion projects. “This way we’ll have both preliminary studies and can compare the necessity of both tunnels,” explained Mobility Secretary Manel Nadal during his appearance before Parliament’s Territory commission. According to recent transport developments, this forms part of broader infrastructure improvements across the region.
Local opinions remain divided on the optimal solution. Mayors of Sabadell and Terrassa previously supported the Horta tunnel option, while business association Femvallès favoured duplicating the Vallvidrera tunnel due to lower costs and greater time savings for users. The renewed focus on the Horta rail tunnel represents a significant shift in transport planning priorities that could reshape Barcelona’s northern connectivity for decades to come.
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