Valenciaport awards rail tender

The Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) has awarded the works to double the track and implement the third rail line between the Poniente and Levante docks in the Port of València to the joint venture between the companies TECSA Empresa Constructora, S.A. and Dragados, S.A., for a total of 11,546,582.05 euros (VAT included), with a maximum completion period of 18 months.

Once this infrastructure is in operation, it will allow the access of freight trains of 750 metres to the Levante Railway Terminal on double mixed 1668/1435 mm and electrified track, which will mean an improvement in the railway operation of this section of the network. In addition, the single-track section that currently exists, which entails operational limitations that are not compatible with the planned traffic increases, will be eliminated.

The extension of tracks will improve APM’s accesses and will accommodate more trains inside the Port, facilitating the access of convoys to the rail motorway and to Valencia Terminal Europa (VTE).

This project is financed by funds derived from the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and its main objectives are:

• To meet the levels of capacity, operability, connectivity and safety demanded by the expected increases in traffic
  Enable Iberian and international gauge rail operation
  Enable rail operation with electric traction
  Favour environmental sustainability

The adaptation of the PAV railway network is being carried out in sections, progressively advancing from the connection with the ADIF network. This will allow each section to be built independently, minimising the impact on railway operations.

The work is part of Valenciaport’s railway strategy, a plan that promotes the use of the railway and has led to an increase in train traffic in recent years, bringing together approximately 8% of the total amount of goods entering and leaving the Valencian docks. Likewise, the forthcoming entry into service of the international gauge in the Mediterranean corridor makes it necessary to extend and adapt the existing railway infrastructures in order to adapt them to the new potential demands.