Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes

The station is the most important passenger terminal in the entire Spanish rail network, serving as the nerve center for high-speed, long-distance, medium-distance, and commuter trains in the Community of Madrid. All this, combined with its privileged location in the center of the capital, makes it a necessary transit point for hundreds of thousands of travelers every day, and it is a major urban hub with connections to all existing means of public transport: commuter trains, the subway, buses, taxis, ride-hailing services, rental vehicles, etc.

The station is being transformed via a number of actions that constitute a significant technical and planning challenge for Adif and Adif Alta Velocidad, as the programming ensures that the station will remain in service at all times. 

Adif is reconfiguring the Atocha Cercanías commuter rail tracks with a new 4+4+2 scheme at the northern end. Currently, the station has 10 tracks with a 4+3+3 layout, assigned to the Recoletos, Sol and Embajadores tunnels. With the new configuration, tracks 1 to 4 will continue to be destined for the Recoletos tunnel, 5 to 8 for the Sol tunnel, and 9 and 10 for the Embajadores tunnel, allowing an increase in the capacity of the C-3 and C-4 lines and facilitating the use of track 8 as a siding for the C-5 line in case of an incident. Platform 5 will also be extended to improve service on the C-5 line in both directions.


The project requires adaptation of the Control, Command and Signaling (CMS) facilities, and modification of the signals, track circuits and interlocking and Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) systems. The signaling and telecommunications systems will also be updated. In addition, work has already been carried out such as the renovation of the Telecommunications Center, the relocation of the on-site police post and ticket sales, and the restoration of the historic building and the towers to preserve its structure and protect against weather conditions.

The renovation of Atocha station includes the construction of an underground through station under the current high-speed rail station and Calle Méndez Álvaro. 

This new infrastructure, with an investment of more than 505 million euros, will have four new tracks and two platforms for high-speed trains. Its main function will be to connect the high-speed tunnel between Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes and Chamartín-Clara Campoamor with the southern high-speed access to Madrid, allowing trains to stop at both stations, thereby completing the connection of Spain's entire high-speed rail network.

The underground station will run along Méndez Álvaro and will connect with the current Puerta de Atocha in the north and a new concourse at its southern end. The northern part of Puerta de Atocha will be remodeled to integrate it into the new station, optimizing the concourses and access controls.

 

Despite being underground, it will have a skylight and a curtain wall on the Méndez Álvaro facade to allow natural light to enter. The new lobby will incorporate the western area of the station into high-speed services and will help reduce road traffic on Avenida Ciudad de Barcelona and nearby streets. In addition, it will have separate entrances for Arrivals and Departures, as well as an intermodal platform with space for taxis, ride-hailing services and Kiss&Ride (a temporary vehicle stop to drop off or pick up passengers).