The Spanish government has announced urgent Rubí tunnel emergency repairs in Vallès Occidental. Consequently, goods train movement should resume within days. This critical rail artery, essential for international freight, closed after an incident near Rubí Can Vallhonrat station.
José Antonio Santano, the Secretary of State for Transport, confirmed the ministry deployed a specialist team. Their “emergency action” will allow traffic to resume without waiting for long-term renovation. Acknowledging the economic pressure, Santano stated the executive “cannot wait” for scheduled maintenance.
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“I don’t have a specific date, but we are talking about days,” Santano remarked regarding the reopening timeline.
Rubí tunnel emergency repairs address structural concerns
The repairs’ urgency highlights the infrastructure’s deteriorating condition. In August 2023, Adif tendered a €23.3 million improvement project for the tunnel. However, administrative delays postponed the tender process in November. These issues reflect the chronic underfunding of the Rodalies network.
Technical documents revealed significant deficiencies. These included “untreated cracks in sections without reinforcement,” humidity issues, and water filtration. Therefore, the long-term plan proposes a metal and reinforced concrete ring. For now, the government prioritises immediate emergency fixes to ensure safety and restore flow.
Critical impact on logistics and commuters
The closure severely impacts the Port of Barcelona and international logistics. Trains from Barcelona and the south cannot proceed towards Europe. Meanwhile, convoys from Northern Catalonia remain blocked.
Passengers on the R8 Rodalies commuter line are also affected. Renfe operates an alternative road service between Martorell and Mollet-Sant Fost. This disruption coincides with a new management company for Rodalies launching to address the rail crisis.
Update on AP-7 and Gelida
Separately, Santano provided an update on the Gelida disruption. A wall collapse and a recent train accident impacted the AP-7 motorway. Work continues “intensely” to reopen the closed lanes. The incident was the recent fatal train accident in Gelida. “We foresee two more weeks to reopen from the time the train was removed,” Santano clarified regarding the motorway restrictions.
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