Adif - Abrimos caminos

EUROPEAN UNION

During the period 2007-2013 this line will be co-financed 

The purpose of building this line is to create continuity between the Madrid–Valladolid High-Speed Line and destinations in the North and Northeast, permitting connections to León, Asturias, Cantabria (via Palencia) and the Basque Country (via Venta de Baños).

A well as contributing to the socioeconomic structure of the Autonomous Region of Castile-León, it will reduce notably the journey time between Madrid and the provincial capital of León. 

The line will also involve integrating the railway in the cities of Palencia and León, with benefits for city planning inherent in this action.

The Valladolid - Venta de Baños - Palencia - León High-Speed Line is 162.7 km long and is designed for double electrified track in international gauge (UIC - 1,435 mm).

It will be designed to carry passenger and freight traffic.

Owing to the abrupt mountainous terrain encountered, its routing is not as well suited as on the rest of the lines in the North-Northwest Corridor (León – Asturias and Ourense – Santiago)

The longest structures to be built are in the Palanquinos – Onzonilla subsection. These are a 660 metre-long viaduct over the Esla River, and another 581 metre-long viaduct in the Torneros area. Construction is also planned of a 606 metre-long pergola over the tracks of the future towed and rolling stock facilities and the double track of the current Palencia-Coruña line.

Integration in Palencia

The fundamental works involved in this urban integration are implementation of a double track, in UIC gauge, to pass through the city of Palencia, and construction of a new passenger station.

The new UIC-gauge tracks, along with the single track in Iberian-gauge, will make up Palencia’s new railway network, which it is proposed to be built underground for a distance of 2,740 m.

The new passenger station is located in the vicinity of the current station. It will be accessible from both sides of the railway corridor.

Integration in León

Bringing the high-speed service to León will involve major remodelling of the city’s railway infrastructures, basically comprising excavation works to locate these infrastructures underground and building a new underground station.

The project includes creating the definitive entrance corridor to the city and construction of a provisional station, which will make space available for future burial of the line and construction of the definitive station.

The new station is included in the works on the 5 km-long Onzonilla – León Station section of the Valladolid – Venta de Baños - Palencia – León high-speed line.  The works on this section include high-speed adaptation of the two general tracks of the conventional line’s between Palencia and León, which will be reached via branching to the provisional station.

The building has a general hall with spaces for information, ticket sales and customer service. The station has three platforms, with lengths between 190 and 485 metres, and 4 tracks.

These works have presented great technical difficulties due to the requirement to limit to the minimum any effects on operations at León Station and on the facilities for classifying freight, and to the traffic conditions and services currently provided.

This project is partly financed by the Sociedad León Alta Velocidad company and is part of the commitments made by the Ministry of Public Works, the Castile-León Government, and the city councils of León and San Andrés del Rabanedo.

Adif and the Ministry of Public Works support sustainable and environmentally respectful development, respecting protected natural spaces during the design, construction and operation of the rail infrastructure.

Adif complies with the requirements of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), ensuring that all construction and infrastructure work is successfully integrated into the surrounding area and that all applicable environmental measures are implemented as effectively as possible.

All the measures are aimed at limiting the effects of constructing the new line, with scrupulous respect for the ecosystem of the areas through which the line passes, limiting its visual, noise and landscape impacts.

The purpose of the PIAC is to inform Valladolid's citizens and the general public about progress in works on the Valladolid - Palencia - León High-Speed Line. It is staffed by specialist personnel who can answer queries and handle complaints. In addition, explanatory panels are installed, audiovisuals projected and leaflets distributed.