Spain Reaffirms Strong Commitment to Mediterranean and Atlantic TEN-T Corridors

Government Prioritizes Key European Transport Links

Spain's Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, José Antonio Santano, recently reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to bolstering cross-border connections and advancing the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Speaking at a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the European Union in Brussels, Santano emphasized the strategic importance of the Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors for Spain's connectivity with neighboring countries and the broader EU. The European transport sector is supported by a budget exceeding EUR 50 billion under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), with Spain identifying a need for over EUR 17 billion to meet military mobility objectives related to these corridors.

Significant Investments in Atlantic Corridor Development

The development of the Atlantic Corridor has seen substantial financial commitment from Spain. In 2025 alone, railway tenders for this corridor have surpassed EUR 3 billion, more than doubling the figures from 2024. Over EUR 1.7 billion has already been awarded for various projects this year. Key initiatives include:

• Construction and electrification of the Madrid-Extremadura High-Speed line, specifically the Talayuela-Plasencia section, with an investment exceeding EUR 200 million.
• Installation of catenary for the Basque 'Y', valued at EUR 86.5 million.
• A dedicated investment of EUR 2.8 billion for the Atlantic Corridor in the Asturias region.
• Adaptation of the strategic node in Júndiz-Vitoria to standard gauge.

Furthermore, Spanish ports along the Atlantic Corridor are slated to receive over EUR 2.96 billion in investment by 2030. Notable allocations include EUR 520 million for the port of Algeciras, EUR 362 million for A Coruña, and EUR 350 million for Las Palmas. The Atlantic Corridor is a comprehensive project encompassing 5,300 km of railways, actions in 9 ports, 5 airports, 5 logistics terminals, and 2,764 km of roads, impacting 66% of Spain's GDP and 65% of its population. A crucial project is the 600 km Madrid-Lisbon high-speed line, with works projected for completion by the end of 2034.

Progress on the Mediterranean Corridor

The Mediterranean Corridor has been a strategic priority for the Spanish government since 2018, with EUR 7,193 million allocated in tenders and over EUR 3,920 million executed by August 2024. More than 800 kilometers of infrastructure are currently under construction, featuring significant projects such as:

• The Murcia-Almeria connection.
• The Algeciras-Zaragoza rail motorway.
• The Antequera-Granada high-speed line.

Improvements also include the extension of sidings to accommodate 750-meter freight convoys, exemplified by the PLATEA logistics platform in Teruel. In the Valencian Community, projects are underway for railway access to the ports of Sagunto and Valencia, the implementation of mixed gauge between Valencia and Castellón, and the doubling of the single track between Xàtiva and La Encina. A key challenge for this corridor, which links Spanish ports like Algeciras, Cartagena, Valencia, Castellón, Tarragona, and Barcelona with Madrid and extends through France to Italy, is the coexistence of two different track gauges (1668 mm in Spain and 1435 mm in other countries), a disparity actively being addressed.

Future Outlook for Sustainable Mobility

Spain's commitment extends to supporting the new EU High-Speed Plan. The investments in dual-use infrastructure are viewed not only as a strategic requirement for defense but also as a significant opportunity to modernize European transport networks, fostering a more resilient and efficient system. These efforts underscore Spain's dedication to enhancing connectivity and promoting sustainable mobility across the continent.