Adif has commissioned a new tunnel and southern entrance to connect high-speed rail services through Madrid. Both projects were technically challenging as they involved connecting signalling systems from three high-speed lines that were built at different times and with different technologies. The Madrid- Seville Line has an LZB signalling system, while and the Madrid-Valladolid and Madrid-Levante lines, both have ERTMS, but at two different levels.
The new 7.3-kilometre tunnel cost 338 million EUR (355.71m USD) and will support the development of high-speed rail in Spain. The tunnel is the third to cross the city, and the first with standard gauge. In addition to connecting Chamartín-Clara Campoamor and Puerta de Atocha stations, it enables the country’s high-speed lines to connect, creating a nationwide high-speed network.
Atocha-Chamartín tunnel © Adif