Spain: these two colossal projects will relieve traffic congestion on the road to Catalonia's beaches and volcanoes

On the other side of the border with the Pyrénées-Orientales, the Catalan Parliament has just voted in favor of two major rail projects from Girona (Spain).

These are two major projects that could well relieve congestion on the roads around Girona (Spain). This Thursday, November 28, 2024, the Parliament of Catalonia approved a proposal to "stimulate the development of two strategic rail infrastructures", explains our colleagues in the media outlet El Gerió Digital.

Soon a train-tram to the beach

The first project concerns the Costa Brava train-tram line. This 97 km-long line will link Palamós (home to one of the world's most beautiful beaches), Platja d'Aro, Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Girona. The Catalans are ready to invest 500 million euros.

According to forecasts, this infrastructure could handle almost seven million passengers a year (other estimates put the figure at twice that). Trains will run around the clock. A way of limiting the number of cars on the Catalan road network.

The project is on track. The work will be carried out in phases. Completion is currently scheduled for 2030.

Another project to link Girona to the Olot volcanoes

On Thursday, the Catalan Parliament also voted in favor of the Olot-Banyoles-Girona line. This link will replace the old carrilet route (a railway line between Olot and Girona, closed since 1969).

The future train-tram will link Girona with towns such as Banyoles (famous for its lake) and the medieval village of Besalú. Trains will run as far as Olot. The town, located in the Garrotxa comarca, is known for being surrounded by volcanoes.

According to the Diari de Gironathe line is expected to cover some 50 kilometers. With an average speed of 55 km/h, the train could link Olot and Girona in 1h08. The route could attract between three and six million passengers a year.

Source: actu.fr/occitanie/