Catalonia’s Orbital Railway Gains Momentum

In Barcelona, Spain, Catalan President Salvador Illa and ERC president Oriol Junqueras reached an agreement to advance the orbital railway project. The plan envisions a 120-kilometer rail line connecting municipalities around Barcelona without passing through the city center. The project, first proposed over two decades ago, requires a total investment of 5.2 billion euros and is currently scheduled for completion in 2041.

Phase one, spanning 32 kilometers between Granollers and Terrassa, has secured 665 million euros from the 2026-2030 Rodalies Plan. The government intends to build the railway in phases, allowing independent operation of sections as funding becomes available. They are also in talks with the national government to secure additional funding for the remaining phases.

However, financing for the majority of the project remains undefined. The government hopes to leverage existing land reserves from 2010 to expedite urban development, but full completion still depends on sustained investment over the next two decades. Work continues to secure funding and begin construction on additional segments.