Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
Finally, there is good news for rail travelers on the Costa del Sol. High-speed direct trains will be returning between Malaga and Madrid before the end of this month.
Iryo and Ouigo, private operators, have begun selling tickets in anticipation of services beginning on Monday 27th April.
The companies have both made it clear that they will not resume operations until the line is fully operational. There are no plans for temporary alternatives.
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Alora’s long-running disruption began with the collapse of an Alora retaining Wall in February. This wall has blocked access since then.
Current expectations indicate that at least one track will reopen on the last day of April.
Iryo plans to offer three daily services while Ouigo offers two once the trains return to track.
Adif says that the progress is good and that the line will be reopened before the end April.
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Oscar Puente, the Transport Minister, recently shared photos from the site showing heavy machinery in action and workers taking on the massive task.
The southern section of the damaged retaining walls has already been visible progress.
Puente claims that the work continues round-the-clock.
Around 75 workers work in shifts using different machines. Around 75 workers work in shifts, using different machines.
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The collapse of a 15-metre high wall caused a landslide, which required the removal of approximately 150,000 cubic meters of earth.
This is the equivalent to 21 soccer fields, or 60 Olympic-sized swimming pool.
The damage is extensive and affects not only the wall, but also tracks, electrification system, and other key railway infrastructure.
Engineers had to remove sections of track in order to replace damaged sub-ballast and ballast. They also used specialised drilling equipment to cut into the rock behind the remaining walls.
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In the weeks that followed the collapse, heavy rains made the situation worse. Work was stopped for a week and the area became a mud puddle.
Prior to major reconstruction, a nearby high voltage power line had to be secured.
Originally, it was planned to repair only the damaged section of the wall. Further analysis revealed that the wall needed to be completely removed, causing delays.
The project involves reshaping of the slope in order to make it more stabile, demolishing large sections of wall in stages, and rebuilding track, safety and electrification systems.
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In the short term, it is hoped to reopen only one line, with limited service, and then restore full operation on both lines.
Adif has already delayed the reopening date several times, first to early March and then to March 23. Now it is the end of April.
There are signs, however, that the trains may finally be on track.
Travel News by The Olive Press.
