Adif completed the planning phase for the second stage of a major project centered on a new passenger hub at the Pasante de Atocha site in Madrid. The consortium included ACS subsidiaries, Tecsa, San Jose Group, and Puentes y Calzadas, with Adif as the managing authority responsible for Spain’s rail infrastructure. The project has a proposed investment of 451.6 million euros, funded to advance modern rail connectivity across the country. The temporary joint venture carries a 45 percent participation and is led by ACS, following regulatory actions affecting Ferrovial, FCC, and Comsa. The consortium, chaired by Florentino Pérez, includes Tecsa with 30 percent, San Jose 15 percent, and Puentes y Calzadas 10 percent. Although its bid was not the highest on every metric, it delivered the strongest technical proposal that secured the mega contract for 2024 and is viewed as a pivotal step in expanding high speed rail capacity south of Madrid.
ACS triumphs over Ferrovial to become the favored contractor for the new Atocha station project. The Pasante Station is planned to be built beneath the current high‑speed terminal and near Méndez Álvaro Street. Once in operation, the new facility will connect the main station with the high‑speed tunnel linking Puerta de Atocha Almudena Grandes and Chamartín Clara Campoamor, providing a southern access corridor to Madrid for high speed rail and enabling multiple stops across the two major Madrid hubs. The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility stated that this project will complete the total connection of both halves of Spain’s high‑speed network.
Current plans envision four new tracks and two platforms within a design that integrates with existing infrastructure. The same foyers and control filters will be reused to maximize space and efficiency, while a new mixed lobby with a refreshed façade will be constructed in Méndez Álvaro, expanding the western area of the station. The project is designed to preserve rail traffic during construction, ensuring continued operation of the network while work continues. The ministry confirms that the work will move forward within the broader national rail strategy.
Industry officials note the project is valued at around 450 million euros. The objective is to transform Madrid into a dual-terminal corridor for high‑speed rail, linking the north and south stretches of Spain’s network. The project team highlighted the ambition to bring an iconic large station to life in Madrid, a facility intended to unify the country’s northern and southern rail corridors and improve regional and international travel flows. Analysts emphasize the importance of aligning technical excellence with sustained service during construction, a balance critical for large-scale rail programs.
What will the Pasante de Atocha Station look like in practice?
Forecasts from Adif suggest the construction timeline spans about 83 months, roughly seven years, with completion not before 2030. Despite the technical complexity, the plan prioritizes uninterrupted rail circulation throughout the build. Financing is expected to come through the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility, reinforcing integration with broader EU infrastructure goals.
During the design and planning phase, environmental considerations guided the project. Authorities aimed to minimize tree removal, reflecting a broader political context between the state and local governments. The plan calls for preserving a substantial number of trees and relocating many plantings to nearby lands to sustain ecological balance and urban green coverage during and after construction. This approach aligns with EU climate and sustainability standards and supports long‑term rail accessibility for passengers across the region.
The Pasante de Atocha project is framed as a key milestone for Madrid’s rail ambitions, with implications for international travelers and freight corridors alike. By connecting the northern and southern segments of the high‑speed network, the project is expected to reduce travel times, improve reliability, and bolster the city’s role as a central European transport hub. The undertaking reflects a coordinated policy effort to modernize infrastructure while balancing environmental stewardship and public interest. [citation: Adif press release, official government statements, and industry analysis]