High speed service is poised to reach Asturias in May 2023, confirmed by the Minister of Transport during a late afternoon meeting with regional authorities. The discussions took place as part of a marathon of ministerial visits to Madrid, aimed at aligning plans with the timeline for municipal and district elections. The key objective is to ensure the first phase advances on schedule, contingent on the confirmation of the official timetable.
The introduction of high speed to Asturias centers on the Pajares Bypass, a project currently in the testing phase. The central government regards its first phase as ready for commissioning, signaling a critical step in linking Asturias with the broader rail network. Regional leadership had previously indicated that a timely appointment with the transport chief would help accelerate the process. The plan envisions replacing the current nineteenth century corridor between León and Asturias with a modern rail connection, significantly shortening travel times and boosting regional accessibility.
The ongoing talks involving the President of Asturias and ministers responsible for Transport, Public Administration, Ecological Transition, Industry, and Agriculture emerged from concerns raised by the regional government over recent budget evaluations published by a major newspaper. The government views these results as presenting Asturias in a clearly unfavorable light, describing the data as unacceptable for the region’s development prospects. These conversations underscore the priority given to improving regional infrastructure and public services within the broader national budget framework.
The safety testing phase for the new rail route between Asturias and León marks a final hurdle before the commercial opening of a long-awaited project that has defined regional ambitions for years. The tunnel through the Cantabrian mountain range represents a keystone achievement, with historical milestones dating back to the early 2000s under different administrations. The route’s completion, following a period of delays and budget overruns caused by floods and landslides in several sections, is essential for unlocking the full benefits of this mountainous corridor. The upcoming safety clearance is timed to precede the regional and municipal elections held on the final Sunday of May 2023, aligning electoral cycles with the completion of a major transportation milestone for northern Spain.