Extremadura rail and road upgrades shaping high-speed ambitions and regional investment

Extremadura already has roads and electric trains on the Plasencia to Badajoz section. Today these trains offer only a four-minute saving on the journey. The track is prepared for high-speed locomotives to reach 300 kilometers per hour, yet speeds above 200 km/h are not possible for now. The first drawback is the absence of the security and control system known as ERTMS, which would allow higher speeds. This was stated by Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility Óscar Puente. In the second half of 2025, testing will begin this spring.

But that isn’t the only issue. Even with the new system available, the maximum speed on Extremaduran rail remains 220 km/h for the Alvia, the only electric train operating in the region. Without an upgraded fleet, travel times won’t change much. Transport will introduce new Alvia services, with a promise that they will arrive in the region “at the latest” by the next summer. They will replace Intercity trains, so there will not be an extra Madrid-bound trip; however, two services will operate where it is possible to travel at 200 km/h, and once the new security system is installed, that speed will reach 220 km/h.

since summer

The commitment also included introducing an Avant capable of 250 km/h. It was promised when electrification was completed on the Plasencia-Badajoz section, but it will not arrive for now. The minister noted that the train fleet needs renewal but that this is not a priority for Extremadura. He did not comment on the arrival of an AVE.

High speed was the focus of yesterday’s Mérida meeting between the minister and María Guardiola, president of the Regional Government of Extremadura. Both leaders spoke for the first time since taking office. The aim is to reach high speeds between Madrid and Extremadura as soon as possible. Progress will continue on the Plasencia-Badajoz section, while renewal works are planned for Mérida, Aljucén and Cáceres stations, along with electrification works on the Monfragüe-Talayuela route, where all sections are under construction or completed.

Puente addressed the issue of Castilla-La Mancha, where the progress of the project has ended and threatens the high-speed link between Extremadura and Madrid. A new study is being conducted to advance the process. Regarding the line that would pass through Toledo and Talavera de la Reina, he stated that cooperation with both municipalities and the regional board is ongoing to reach the best solution; the aim is to implement this soon. When the full Madrid connection is finished, the state will have invested more than 3.8 billion euros.

The traditional rail corridor, the Vía de la Plata, remains a priority. Guardiola emphasized it. The European Union continues to prioritize this corridor as part of the wider network, with a 2050 horizon. It is expected that the Plasencia–Salamanca connection will reopen by train. The minister noted that this remains a priority but acknowledged the challenges. He explained that Europe has refused to include the corridor in the expanded network for now, urging realism in the plan. He added that the corridor is a project to protect, but the Silver Route has been deprioritized for the time being.

Lisbon-Madrid Connection

On rail matters, Puente reported progress toward a Madrid-Lisbon link via AVE through Extremadura, targeted for 2030. He has already met with the Transport Commissioner and the General Director of Transport. The European Union shares the view that the Madrid-Lisbon connection should advance in both rail and road terms. Still, a new Portuguese government, with elections in March, is awaited.

The discussions did not focus solely on trains; roads were also on the table. The government plans to invest more than 600 million euros in the region in 2024. Work is underway on the Zafra ring road, the Malpartida de Cáceres ring road, the new Cabezuela del Valle bridge, the southern entrance to Badajoz, and the first section of the Cáceres–Badajoz highway. The initiative began in Cáceres city. Extremadura has moved from last place to a leadership position in road investments, the minister noted.

Extremadura also ranks third in highway investment per capita, with about 365 euros per person, well above the average of 200 euros. The minister highlighted ongoing efforts and the commitment to continue advancing. He mentioned investments made with Pedro Sánchez’s administration in recent years, including a substantial rise in tenders and a renewed focus on infrastructure.

Guardiola stressed the significance of the meeting, saying that the region’s future is at stake. Communications infrastructure is crucial for development and potential, not only in rail but also in land and air transportation. Puente reaffirmed his pledge to rectify infrastructure injustices and to keep demonstrating commitment to Extremadura. He promised that the minister would remain a visible presence in the region and be part of its ongoing development.

Mérida bypass will be completed in the middle of the year

The Mérida bypass, now under construction, is slated for completion mid-year. Officials confirmed that the 30-kilometer double-track line will complete the electric route between Plasencia and Badajoz and remove the need to travel about 15 extra kilometers on slower roads. The ministry has invested 50 million euros in this project.

Progress observed during the visit by Puente and Guardiola followed yesterday’s Mérida meeting. Once completed and after the new railway security and control system known as ERTMS is installed, travel times between Badajoz and Madrid could drop to around four hours, down from the current roughly four hours and fifteen minutes.

Burying Navy rails means delaying high speed by 5 years

A major point of contention in the high-speed plan between Extremadura and Madrid is Navalmoral de la Mata. The project proposes routing the train through the urban area, but the city’s council and the regional government oppose burying the rails, arguing that otherwise the city would be split in two like a wall. The government rules this out because it could push back the high-speed arrival by as much as five years. The transportation minister indicated openness to reviewing the project to improve it while acknowledging that delays could occur.

A study by the Railway Infrastructure Manager (Adif), cited by this outlet, also suggests that burying the tracks in Navalmoral de la Mata could risk flooding due to a very high water table and perpendicular water flows at the crossing.

Examine the effectiveness of the anti-fog system at the airport

This autumn and winter, more than 40 flights departing from Talavera la Real airport in Badajoz were suspended due to fog, a recurring issue tied to the location in Las Vegas Altas. The Regional Executive Chairwoman pressed the minister to implement a more sensitive anti-fog system. The minister indicated the need for a superior system and a fleet and crew adaptation to ensure continued flights, even in foggy conditions.

The ministry is exploring this option and will discuss it at the airport coordination committee meeting. It was noted that reliance on an ILS anti-fog system remains possible if it proves effective, but the plan requires modernization and coordination of resources. There is a window until October when the public service obligation declaration will be fulfilled.

There will be no highway between Santa Amalia and Ciudad Real

Another long-standing Extremadura project is the A-43 highway linking Torrefresneda to Ciudad Real. It remains unfulfilled for now. The minister stated that for now the plan is to double the most developed road section between Torrefresneda and Santa Amalia, with an investment of 62 million euros. In the Santa Amalia to Ciudad Real segment, three lanes will be added to improve the route, a busy corridor where no project or tender has yet started. The approach is to avoid environmental delays by pursuing actions that do not require an environmental impact declaration, such as reducing bottlenecks, adding a third lane, and accelerating lanes to prevent heavy vehicles from blocking traffic. The minister emphasized a pragmatic approach to avoid overpromising.

The Extremadura government will include this highway in the expert panel it forms to develop a regional infrastructure plan, ensuring the project remains on the table and not abandoned.