THE rail line from Algeciras to Antequerra that runs through the Guadiaro Valley was recently closed for up to six months as major engineering works began. Adif, the railway infrastructure company, has now released full information on the project that will see tracks first laid at the end of the 19th century brought up to 21st century standards.

Once completed the transformation will benefit both passengers and companies using the freight service. Indeed whilst the eventual AVE high speed train link will bring major benefits to Ronda and the Serranía it is the industrial element that has been the major driving force behind the improvements.

The project has been divided in to three sections but some improvements will be common to all. The first is the relaying of the track to modern standards. The second is the removal of the antiquated signal and communications system that is based on wires linking the stations to advise when a train is on its way or has passed. This will be replaced by state of the art signals and telephonic communications. Thirdly the infrastructure will be installed for an overhead electric powered service. And lastly the 123 level crossings, many unsupervised, will all be removed.

Section one is between Antequera-Santa Ana and Ronda. This will be the new AVE line and is subject to a technical study. The new track will run for 69 kilometres, 16 less than at present, so a new route has to be planned. It will have two tracks instead of the present single line, one will be wide gauge, the other mixed largely reserved for freight traffic.

Section two runs from Ronda’s La Indiana station to San Pablo de Buceite and it is here that the major work is being carried out with the resulting line closure. Many sections of the track can only be reached by rail and it passes through the Grazalema and Los Alcornocales national parks. Work will have to be suspended so as not to disturb protected bird and otter breeding seasons. There will also be a new bridge across the river Guadiaro.

Because of the environmental importance of this area the three tracks that are being laid will all follow the existing single line route. The lines will allow trains using the conventional wide and international tracks to travel simultaneously. It is understood the 17 tunnels will remain single track but as they cannot be heightened special machines have been brought in to excavate a lower base to allow for the electrical power lines to run overhead. False tunnels will also be created to protect the overhead lines from rock falls. The station platforms and sidings will be lengthened but the works will only affect those residents and property owners living along the existing track. Over 176 million euros is allocated to this section with works due to be completed in 2011.

The final section runs from San Pablo to Algeciras which will have two tracks instead of the existing one. This is currently subjected to technical studies with one of the possible provisions being taking the lines underground through Algeciras. A provisional budget of 190 million euros has been allocated for this part of the scheme.

When the work is completed the line will be electric powered with a modern infrastructure. The current travel time between Algeciras and Bobadilla is two hours 30 minutes but that will be slashed to one hour 30 minutes. The journey to Madrid is currently five hours 41 minutes but will be two hours less. And whilst the maximum speed trains can currently travel is 140 km an hour it will eventually be 300 km an hour.

It is anticipated that the upgraded line will also bring spectacular benefits for the port of Algeciras and a fundamental change to road use in Spain. Currently a small percentage of heavy container traffic in Spain goes by rail – a stark contrast to major European countries. One container lorry a minute passes through the Campo de Gibraltar on its way to Algeciras port but much of that is expected to be eliminated with the port given speedy access to the Spanish and European rail networks.

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Guadiaro Rail Line Work On Track
Monday, 16 November 2009
THE rail line from Algeciras to Antequerra that runs through the Guadiaro Valley was recently closed for up to six months as major engineering...

© 2012 - Secret Andalucia - Guadiaro Valley, near Ronda

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