Barcelona’s long-debated tram project has reached a decisive moment. On 21 October, the city’s Urbanism Commission will vote on extending the tram along Avinguda Diagonal to the busy Francesc Macià square, a move described by officials as ‘strategic for the city’.
Mayor Jaume Collboni’s administration is seeking approval for two essential measures: the reurbanisation of the Diagonal and the construction of a new water collector, both prerequisites for laying the tracks that will finally link the Trambaix and Trambesòs networks. The Metropolitan Transport Authority is expected to give its technical validation later this week.
The project carries a hefty price tag of €195 million. The city council will shoulder €115 million, €62 million for the collector and €53 million for the redesign of the avenue, while the Generalitat will contribute the remaining €80 million to cover the tram infrastructure.
Yet political backing remains uncertain. With just 10 councillors, Collboni’s Socialist-led government relies on support from Barcelona en Comú and ERC, who have consistently defended unifying the two tram networks. Junts, PP and Vox, however, remain opposed.
Even if the vote passes, the process will not be swift. Following approval, there will be periods of public consultation and legal challenges before contracts are tendered. Current forecasts suggest the tram connection will not be operational before 2031.
Laia Bonet, first deputy mayor, stressed that the initiative must combine political consensus and financial guarantees. ‘We cannot delay any further. This is a project of strategic importance for Barcelona, and we need to make it a reality as soon as possible,’ she said.
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