Portugal's National Railway Plan: Boosting Connections to Spain and Enhancing Lisbon's West Line

Enhancing Railway Connections to Spain

The National Railway Plan outlines strategic priorities to enhance railway connections to Spain, particularly focusing on high-speed lines. Improving access to major urban areas is also a key goal.

The plan was approved during a recent Council of Ministers meeting, directing Infraestruturas de Portugal to conduct necessary studies for the following railway investments:

• Modernization and electrification of the Vouga Line, ensuring full interoperability with the North Line.
• Evaluation of options for a direct connection from the West Line to Lisbon, specifically to the Cintura Line.
• Strengthening cross-border connections to Spain, including high-speed links between Porto/Vila Real/Bragança/Spain, as well as connections from Aveiro/Viseu/Salamanca and Faro/Huelva.

This approved plan confirms the development priorities for the high-speed network, which includes already approved routes from the previous administration, such as Porto-Lisbon, Porto-Vigo, and Lisbon-Madrid.

Public Consultation and Legislative Support

The investments outlined in the national railway plan were subject to public consultation initiated by the previous government. They are considered the result of extensive public feedback, complying with legal frameworks and a parliamentary resolution recommending the plan's approval. Discussions with Spain during the latest Luso-Spanish summit also contributed to the final outcome.

The Ministry of Infrastructure has indicated that the realization of these projects in the medium term is part of the National Investment Program 2030, which is also a continuation from the previous government.

Minister Miguel Pinto Luz emphasized the importance of addressing the backlog in railway development, stating, "It is crucial for Portugal to catch up on railway infrastructure. Defining priorities and investing in modernization is a complex process that has dragged on for years, and we must have the courage to pursue it if we want to honor international commitments and, above all, commitments to the Portuguese people."