Emergency works on Catalonia’s Rodalies commuter rail network have removed 78 speed limitations since March, according to Adif, the Spanish railway infrastructure manager. These restrictions previously caused service alterations and delays for thousands of daily commuters. Despite these efforts, 179 speed limits still affect the network.
Adif reported a net reduction of 37 speed limits since March. This occurred even with 41 new restrictions introduced due to unforeseen issues. Before the fatal accident in Gelida, the network had 95 speed limitations. Currently, 84 more restrictions exist compared to that period. Renfe, the train operating company, is programming 94% of the train services available before the Gelida incident. This amounts to 846 daily circulations.
Government sources admitted a “systematic delay” of 10 to 15 minutes on the R4 line. This delay stems from the impact of the remaining speed limitations. Officials have not yet adjusted schedules, expecting a resolution “in the coming weeks.” To mitigate issues, Renfe has deployed reinforcement trains and drivers at key points. These can activate quickly during incidents, preventing further service disruptions.
Ongoing Infrastructure Improvements
The emergency works include stabilising trenches and installing protective mesh. Systematic tree felling has also occurred, with some operations carried out urgently. Since January, workers have felled 13,600 trees across the railway network to enhance safety. The budget for these interventions totals €107 million, funded through emergency contracts related to Storm Harry.
Key Tunnel Projects Advancing
Works in Rubí tunnels are progressing “at a good pace,” according to Adif. This project requires a seven-week closure of freight traffic through this crucial point. Crews are currently working on a critical 60-metre section. Once completed, the line will reopen with a single track, allowing traffic to resume. Further work will then continue on an additional 70 metres to finish the emergency repairs. Similarly, works in the Garraf tunnels are also developing as scheduled.
Following the Gelida accident, technicians identified 31 sections requiring immediate action. These included 130 slopes that needed mitigation measures, leading to temporary speed limits. These ongoing efforts aim to improve safety and reliability across the entire Rodalies network. The network serves hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors daily across Catalonia.
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Originally published by betevé. Read original article.
