- This new line, which will connect the centre of Valencia with the Natzaret district, will have two direct connections with the current Metrovalencia network
- The Minister, Arcadi España, pointed out that the new underground pedestrian accesses involve an investment of more than 23.5 million euros.
The Minister of Territorial Policy, Public Works and Mobility, Arcadi España, has announced that the Generalitat will connect the future Alacant station with the Xàtiva and Bailén stations, via two pedestrian underpasses, in order to integrate the new Line 10 into the Metrovalencia network as a whole.
Arcadi España has made this announcement after visiting the construction site of the underground section of this line, which will connect the centre of the city of Valencia with the Natzaret district and which is currently under construction. These two proceedings have a combined budget of around 23.5 million euros.
The Minister explained that “these two pedestrian accesses will connect Line 10 with the current Metrovalencia network and improve mobility conditions for future users and for the city of Valencia and its metropolitan area as a whole”.
The extension to Bailén to connect with Line 7 of Metrovalencia will be carried out by making use of the current pedestrian crossing in disuse in the Gran Vía de las Germanías tunnel, incorporating a connecting point of about 25 metres. This access will be open to both users and pedestrians.
The underground pedestrian tunnel that will connect the Alacant and Xàtiva stations will allow a quick and easy connection for passengers to transfer to Lines 3, 5 and 9. The length of this new planned infrastructure is about 260 meters. This pedestrian tunnel will connect the lobbies of both stations and will have stairs and escalators, as well as a lift accessible to persons with reduced mobility (PRM).
Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) plans to put out to tender the works for the connection to Xàtiva in the next few weeks, while the work to refurbish the tunnel and entry to Bailén will be carried out as part of the work currently being done on the underground section.
Arcadi España highlighted that “all the actions planned to bring this line into service are either underway or completed, with the aim of making this extension of the Metrovalencia network a reality by 2022”.
Once completed, Line 10 will connect the centre of Valencia with the City of Arts and Sciences area and the Nazaret district, considerably extending the transport service of the Metrovalencia network. This line combines underground and surface sections, covering a distance of 5.3 kilometres and with 8 stations and stops (3 underground and 5 above-ground).
The construction project for this line as a whole is co-financed by the European Union, through the 2014-2020 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) operational programme for the Valencian Community.
Progress of the construction work
The planned works are currently underway along the underground section, with a budget of more than 25 million euros. The works include the installation of the entire double track and switches and crossings; drainage and side channels for installations; and the architectural work of the three stations, which includes finishes, flooring, vertical cladding, furniture, etc.
Last November, FGV started the refurbishment of the track superstructure, architecture and equipment of the surface section, from the exit of the tunnel at the Amado Granell ramp to the Natzaret district, including the construction in the Natzaret district of the temporary depot for the tram units that will run along this extension of the Metrovalencia network.
In terms of works that have already been carried out, last February the construction of the ramp connecting the underground and surface sections at the level of Amado Granell Avenue was completed. The works have included the construction of the surface stop at Hermanos Maristas, for more than 3.8 million euros.
The rest of the contracts, such as that of electrification, installation of substations and connections of the route between Alacant station and Natzaret, and the contract for signposting, communication and safety have already been awarded, are being planned and are awaiting the start of installation works.
