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ARCHIVED - Rail works to connect Almeria with Granada entering final stages
Tests are being carried out on tracks between Almeria’s Rio Andarax to El Puche in a final stage of works before a direct line connecting the city with Granada can open to the public.
The opening of the new Adif High Speed (the AVE Alta Velocidad) track between Almería city and Granada is finally approaching, and Adif has been undertaking the geometric and dynamic auscultation testing phase of the track in the railway access sections to the city of Almería, Río Andarax-El Puche and the underground section of the track as it passes through El Puche. This phase of tests that cover about 3 km of route precedes the official authorization commissioning the new route by the State Agency for Railway Safety (AESF).
Passengers between the two cities will no longer be forced to take a bus transfer between Huercal de Almeria-Viator and Almeria city after the new section of track opens, providing a direct line between Almeria and Granada in a push to boost public transport for both commuters and visitors.
The €25.34 million works began in August 2019, with the final underground stage in El Puche in Almeria being completed last month.
Before the line can open fully, Spain’s State Agency for Railway Safety requires a full set of tests to the tracks and signalling systems, and rail operator Adif AV is now running a train along three kilometres of tracks between Rio Andarax to El Puche to check the safety of the infrastructure and comfort for passengers.
The new direct connection to Granada from Almeria forms part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to provide sustainable and quality services and is co-financed by the EU FEDER sustainable development fund.