Portugal: International North Corridor - BEIRA BAIXA LINE

With an investment of 53 million €, the contract works have been awarded to the consortium Ramalho Rosa Cobetar/Conduril and are expected to be completed in 2019, allowing the reopening of rail circulation on this section with 46 km which has been closed since 2009.

The works also include the construction of the direct connection between the Beira Baixa and Beira Alta Lines.

Works to be executed are the following:

• Full renewal of 36 km of tracks (IP has already renewed 10 km of this section)
• Electrification
• Rehabilitation of 6 rail bridges
• Renovation of stations and halts (Maçainhas, Benespera and Barracão)
• Automation and suppression of level crossings
• Construction of drainage systems and execution of stabilization works of slopes
• Construction of a connection between the Beira Alta and Beira Baixa Lines, in electrified single track, with 1.500 m of length. Includes the construction of a new rail bridge over the river Diz, with a length of 238 m;
• Implementation of electronic signaling and telecommunication systems.

This investment is of the outmost importance for the modernization of the Rail Network in Portugal, covering a section that is a part of the International North Corridor and whose materialization will foster rail transport in the inter-regional links and in the connections to Spain.

This project will be included on the application to be submitted to EU Funds under Portuguese management (COMPETE 2020), to which is expected 85% of co-funding rate.