Priority axis No 19 – Ongoing

High-speed rail interoperability on the Iberian New construction and technologies will make it possible to integrate and into a fully interoperable trans-European high-speed rail network.

What is the axis? By significantly enhancing their rail links, interoperability will improve communications between Spain and Portugal and the The difference in gauges between the rail networks of the rest of . On the routes served by the high-speed network, and the rest of the remains a it should help rail to win market shares from both air and road major obstacle to the efficient operation of Europe’s rail transport on congested routes.The construction of new lines will transport system.This project involves the construction of new free capacity on existing slower lines for more freight traffic. lines and the installation of dual-gauge sleepers, third rails or Significant benefits will be seen in travel times, and in freeing up axle-gauge changeover stations on the Spanish and Portuguese significant freight-transport capacity on conventional lines. high-speed rail networks, in order to make them fully interoperable with the rest of the trans-European rail network. The project aims to provide access to the biggest cities of Spain What is its current status? and Portugal by high-speed train and will target five corridors: The sections of this axis complement those of the ‘high-speed –, north-east, Madrid–Levante/Mediterranean, south-western railway axis’ (see axis No 3), where several new north/north-west corridor, including –, and high-speed lines are already operating at European gauge – .The project will be implemented according to Madrid–, Madrid––Lérida – or are under Directive 96/48/EC on interoperability, and will incorporate the construction – Lérida––, Cordoba–Malaga, ERTMS. Jerez–Cadiz, and Pajares (Asturias–León). Additional projects are at an advanced stage in planning, such as the Vigo–Porto link. However, it should be noted that overall implementation of the What are its expected benefits? axis has been significantly delayed for both administrative reasons and lack of finance. Prioritising interoperability on the high-speed rail network will help to channel investment by the countries concerned towards technologies that ensure interoperability, progressively reducing the additional costs imposed by gauge differences. TEN-T PRIORITY AXES AND PROJECTS 2005

Priority section Type of work/status Distance Timetable (1) Total cost as Investment up TEN-T contribution, (km) of end 2004 to 31.12.2004 including studies, up to (million EUR) (million EUR) 31.12.2004 (million EUR)

Madrid–Andalusia New line 1 019 2001–20 (2010) 5 115 1 507 0

North-east corridor New line 589 2001–20 (2010) 3 191 300 0

Madrid–Levante New line 1 347 2001–20 (2010) 11 183 542 27 and Mediterranean

North/north-west New line 1 314 2001–20 (2010) 2 824 136 0 corridor including Vigo–Porto

Extremadura New line 418 2001–20 (2010) 0 (2) 0 0

TOTAL 4 687 22 313 2 485 27

(1) In brackets, completion date listed in the 2004 guidelines, if different from the date notified in 2005 by the Member State. (2) The cost of the Extramadura section is included in axis No 3, and therefore not included here.

Rail in preparation under construction completed

selected for high speed interoperability

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