In July 2021, the Generalitat presented the main lines of action in the TRAM d’Alacant’s network Expansion Plan, which includes the proposals currently underway as well as the new routes planned for the coming years, depending on the mobility needs of the city of Alicante and the regions of Alacantí, Marina Alta and Marina Baixa.
With an investment of more than 250 million euros, the Generalitat will be able to build about 15 kilometres of new sections and lines in the coming years, which will be added to the current tram network to link the city of Alicante, its metropolitan area and the regions where the TRAM d’Alacant already operates.
The modernisation and renovation of Line 9 (Benidorm-Dénia) is currently underway, which, once completed in 2023, will have involved an investment of over 150 million euros and will give back a key connection to the residents of the Marina Alta and Marina Baixa, and to all citizens of the Valencian Community.
The investments included in this expansion plan, which combines underway, projected and planned works, will mean an investment of more than 400 million that will considerably increase the mobility conditions in a sustainable and effective way over the next six years, as well as promote tourism and boost the fundamental economy in order to deal with the crisis.
The aim is to prepare for the growth of the future TRAM d’Alacant network and to offer better coverage and better service to the city of Alicante and the regions of Alacantí, Marina Baixa and Marina Alta, meeting the mobility needs.
At the same time, we are working to promote intermodality with other public transport operators and to consolidate the TRAM d’Alacant as a real alternative to the use of private vehicles.
Main expansion works
The works to connect the Luceros station of the TRAM d’Alacant with the ADIF-Renfe station in Alicante are scheduled to begin at the end of 2023, once the project has been approved by the parties involved.
The strategic objective of this action is to promote intermodality in the city of Alicante and enable the growth of the TRAM network in Alicante and its metropolitan area.
The basic project includes the definition and design of the intermodal station and the tunnel to access it through Salamanca Avenue. The budget for this operation amounts to 100 million euros, including VAT.
In parallel, it is planned to create a new connection between the TRAM d’Alacant’s current network and Sant Joan and its hospital, continuing to Mutxamel, from the current Lines 1 and 3 linking Luceros with Benidorm and El Campello, respectively.
The initial budget is of around 40 million euros.
It is also planned to extend Line 2, which runs from Luceros to Sant Vicent del Raspeig to the hospital in this town.
In turn, from the new Alacant Intermodal station it is planned to connect through the southwest of the city with the neighbourhoods of La Florida, Ciudad de Asís and San Fernando-Princesa Mercedes and from there to extend in a northerly direction, through Polígono de San Blas, Los Ángeles, San Agustín, Tómbola and Divina Pastora, to connect with the current route near the Ciudad Jardín stop, with an investment of about 100 million euros.
As well as the extensions and expansions, the surroundings of the current La Marina station will also be opened up to the sea.
Works between Benidorm and Dénia
The Generalitat is carrying out different works on Line 9 of the TRAM d’Alacant that connects Benidorm and Dénia, with the aim of achieving the renovation and modernisation of this line, with an investment that exceeds 150 million euros in total.
The technical improvements and new infrastructures, as well as the incorporation of new rolling stock, are aimed at maintaining and improving operating conditions, ensuring the regularity and quality of service with similar standards to the rest of the FGV network in Alicante.
In recent years, actions have been completed such as the renovation of the Teulada-Gata de Gorgos-Dénia section, which includes the tramming of the urban layout along the town of Dénia, as well as the adaptation and improvement of accessibility on the platforms of stops and stations.
The tramming carried out has allowed for the urban integration of the tracks, to transform the level crossings into crossings with traffic lights and to remove the walls that close off the tracks, putting an end to the division caused by the trenet when it cut off the Southern part of Dénia.
Once the refurbishment of the Dénia workshop is completed to accommodate the new dual (diesel-electric) trains, the entire line will be in service by early 2023.
The new Quisi viaduct and the works for the removal of the level crossing and construction of an underpass on Beniardà Avenue in Benidorm are also currently underway. Work on the new Algar and Mascarat viaducts will begin in 2023.
FGV is working on the construction project of the new underpass and the removal of the level crossing on Beniardá Avenue in Benidorm, on the TRAM d’Alacant Line 9 that connects this town with Dénia. The budget amounts to 5,287,983.97 euros, including VAT, and the work has a maximum implementation period of 16 months.
For the Line 9 service, FGV tendered the purchase of six dual trains (electric and diesel), eventually contracted to Stadler Rail Valencia, based in Albuixech, for an awarded amount of 43.3 million euros.
Incorporation of new trams
As a complementary action to the different extension projects, this year FGV has put out to tender the purchase of new trams of the 4500 series. The initial budget for the contract amounts to 109,562,112 euros, including VAT, and includes the purchase of 16 trams. This same contract contemplates the possibility of acquiring up to 12 more trams, in two lots of six units.
This action is co-financed by the European Union, through the operational programme of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the Valencian Community 2021-2027.
The time frame for the manufacture of these 16 units has been set at 32 months.
