- Line 9 of the TRAM d’Alacant network receives 69.2 million euros and Line 10 of Metrovalencia another 46.1 million euros.
- The Minister Arcadi España highlights European funding as “a key mechanism” to make progress in the development of an inclusive and environmentally friendly public transport network.
The Generalitat has allocated more than 130 million euros, from European REACT-EU (Next Generation EU) and ERDF funds, for actions related to sustainable mobility and accessibility and for aid to the transport sector.
Specifically, it is an allocation of 69.2 million euros dedicated to various projects on Line 9, Benidorm-Denia, of the TRAM d’Alacant network; 46.1 million for proceedings on Line 10 of Metrovalencia, and 15 million for aid to the occasional passenger transport sector.
“At the Ministry, through Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana, we are going to promote adaptation and modernisation actions to ensure the safety and comfort of rail transport passengers”, said the Minister of Territorial Policy, Public Works and Mobility, Arcadi España.
With the boost of funding from the European Union,” continued España, “a key mechanism for the development and structuring of the Comunitat, we will continue working on a public transport network in which sustainability, inclusiveness, urban quality and respect for the environment are priority lines of action”.
“With the planned works on L9, the connectivity of both the Alicante metropolitan area and Costa Blanca, from the city to Dénia, will be enhanced. The idea is that both those from Alicante and people who visit this area of the Comunitat have a comfortable and efficient means of transport for their journeys between towns,” explained the head of Mobility.
“With regard to the work on L10, the funding from the ERDF funds will allow us to provide Valencian citizens with a new sustainable public transport route, which will facilitate their journeys between the city centre and the City of Arts and Sciences area, the Natzaret district and the entire seafront,” concluded the Minister.
TRAM D’ALACANT proceedings
Thus, 43.4 million euros will be allocated for the recovery of rail traffic on L9 of the TRAM network on the Calpe-Dénia periurban section. This work is necessary to modernise the line in order to re-establish service between the stations in both towns, which is currently interrupted until other work on different sections can be completed and new hybrid diesel-electric trains can be incorporated.
This action includes projects such as the adaptation and improvement of the Teulada-Gata-Dénia section; the construction of the new Quisi, Algar and Mascarat viaducts, and the improvement of signposting, communications and the automatic train protection system between Calpe and Dénia.
In addition, in order to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly modes of travel, 25.8 million euros will be invested in improving accessibility and service frequencies on L9 of the TRAM network.
In this sense, we will fit out platforms and renovate Benidorm station, build the technological crossing at the El Albir stop, set up the electrification of the section between Benidorm-Intermodal and Garganes-Altea, and remove the level crossing of Benidorm.
The implementation of the works on TRAM L9, on the Calpe-Dénia periurban section, is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023.
ERDF funds for Metrovalencia’s Line 10
With regard to the actions financed with the 46.1 million euros of ERDF funds that are being carried out on Metrovalencia’s L10, of particular note is the allocation of 24.6 million euros earmarked for the underground section of the line, which includes the construction of a pedestrian connecting footbridge between the Alacant and Bailén stations that will link it to the current metro network.
It also includes other works related to electrification, signposting, communications and safety, in addition to the works on the surface section between Amado Granell and Natzaret and the ramp to the Amado Granell surface and the new surface section to Hermanos Maristas.
15 million euros for occasional transport
In order to alleviate the effects of the mobility restrictions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic on the occasional road passenger transport sector, the Regional Ministry will invest 15 million euros of REACT-EU funding in direct aid of 8,400 euros for each bus line.
Thus, these contributions will help the continuity and return to activity of more than 2,300 buses, belonging to about 215 companies in the Valencian Community.
Digital and sustainable transformation
Likewise, the Regional Ministry is preparing a portfolio of projects for digital and sustainable transformation in transport, for an amount of more than 800 million euros, to be financed within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan for Spain of the Next Generation EU funds.
The proposed projects are aligned both with the European Union’s transformation vectors of ecological transition and digital transition, and with the ‘Mobility for all’ and ‘Smart mobility’ lines of action of the Mobility Strategy of the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda.
