How a New Train Station in Coimbra Could Save Portugal €1 Billion

High-Speed Rail Developments in Coimbra

The recently announced public tender results for the High-Speed Rail Line (LAV) segment between Oiã (Aveiro) and Soure (Coimbra) revealed that only the Lusolav consortium, led by Mota & Engil, submitted a proposal at a base cost of €1.65 billion. The lack of competition was attributed to the base price being considered too low and the inclusion of a 17 km branch between Taveiro and Trouxemil, which includes demands from the Coimbra Municipality for additional unrelated infrastructure projects. These include the quadruplication of the North Line and a road viaduct over IC2.

Challenges Ahead

A significant challenge involves the expropriation of about 100 properties between Taveiro and Coimbra, with 70 residents facing displacement. Despite these hurdles, Lusolav is willing to proceed at the proposed price, provided the intermodal station's location at Coimbra-B is reconsidered. Their technical assessment suggests Coimbra-B is unsuitable due to flood risks, proposing instead a site at the intersection of the LAV and North Line, which presents no environmental hazards.

Proposed Enhancements

The new metrobus in Coimbra would be extended to Casais do Campo, serving the new station and potentially reaching Taveiro and Arzila in the future. Lusolav also plans to renovate the Coimbra-B station, keeping it operational as a North Line hub.

Controversies and Implications

Despite adhering to the tender's specifications, the jury questioned Lusolav's proposal, and the Coimbra Municipality is now asking Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) to annul the tender, which could delay high-speed rail implementation until mid-2026. This insistence on the Coimbra-B station is linked to a 200,000 m² real estate project that would likely hinder the high-speed rail's progress. If IP gives in, the implications could be disastrous:

• At least a one-year delay in awarding the high-speed rail project.
• An increase of €500 million in project costs due to raised base prices to ensure fair competition.
• A potential loss of €500 million in EU funding due to timeline delays.
• New competitors may propose relocating the station, as the design-build nature of the tender allows for flexibility.

Community Support

The proposed location for the LAV station in Coimbra has garnered support from environmentalists and thousands of residents in S. Martinho do Bispo, Ribeira de Frades, and Taveiro, who foresee adverse impacts from Coimbra-B. They see this as a unique opportunity to integrate their areas into the new Metro Mondego mobility system.

Financial Considerations

It is critical not to waste €1 billion! This funding could expand the metrobus system and address traffic issues at the Almegue junction without needing a new viaduct. Furthermore, two urgently needed central hospitals could be built in the Lisbon metropolitan area.

National Progress

Portugal cannot yield to local whims or real estate interests. The High-Speed Rail must proceed. The Coimbra-South station, located just 3.7 km from Coimbra's center, will allow all LAV trains to stop, unlike the Coimbra-B station, which would only accommodate select services. Notably, the Coimbra branch would add about 15 minutes to the Lisbon-Porto journey.

Coimbra must not delay national progress. It is dubious interests that should be halted, not a critical project for national and international mobility. Transparency, rigor, and good judgment are expected from IP and the national government in managing public funds.