It is a major investment unfolding across the country and the project will enable a job that many considered impossible to be done. Antonio Costa spoke with evident resolve on October 13 when he guaranteed the High Speed line between Lisbon and Porto, with plans to extend to Galicia. Even after his resignation a month later, the project pressed forward.
The transition from promises to official documents will reach a pivotal moment on January 14, when Infraestruturas de Portugal launches a call for bids. The initial tranche stands at 1.9 billion euros for the highway linking Porto and Oia, south of Aveiro. Regardless of the outcome of the parliamentary elections on March 10, this infrastructure will enjoy political and legal protection under law 38/2023. In August, the Costa administration approved the Lei das Grandes Opções para 2023-2026, outlining policies and investments aimed at recovering from COVID-19 impacts and the Ukraine war over the next three years. [Citation: Ministry of Infrastructure, 2023]
The document notes that the government should finalize the program to promote rail and public transport and to spur investment in a cleaner, more accessible, high-quality transport sector. Rail 2020 and the kickoff of programs within the 2030 National Investment Programme form part of the strategy; and there is a plan to create a High Capacity axis between Lisbon, Leiria, Coimbra, Porto, Braga and Galicia. This axis is identified as one of the three pillars to be implemented before 2027. [Citation: National Transport Plan, 2023]
Since this was approved by the Assembly and the Council of Ministers, it marks a notable change from the unsuccessful efforts of the previous two decades. No project from a neighboring country had progressed to this stage since the legislature failed to approve the RAVE railway plan, which was abandoned about ten years ago.
These 72 kilometers will enter a new administrative phase after environmental approval, expected in August, a first for the region. The aim is to reduce travel time between the two metropolises from nearly three hours to about 75 minutes. The initial section includes upgrading the Campanhã intermodal station, building a new bridge over the Douro River, a Gaia-connected station, and roughly one third of the route traversing tunnels, bridges and viaducts. Infraestruturas de Portugal targets Lot B, between Oia and Soure south of Coimbra, for tendering before July 2024.
To support this, a fund of 2.75 billion euros is managed to cover the remaining budget and to guarantee financing once European Next Generation funds are exhausted. Last year, cost estimates for both routes rose by about 15% and 23%.
Phase 2, extending to Carregado just north of Lisbon, is being prepared for an Environmental Impact Study, with work anticipated to be awarded in summer 2024. For distances beyond 90 kilometers from Porto to the border at Valença, the government continues to await Spain’s moves because coordination is needed for a new international bridge over the Miño River, along with routes to Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport and Braga. In May, the Ministry of Transport granted the Vigo South Railway Exit Informational Study ahead of an 18-month study period. Consequently, updates on the Iberian rail corridor will likely surface next summer, including potential routes between Urzaiz station and Porriño. [Citation: Transport Ministry reports, 2024]
The return of The Driver
The surprising election campaign that intensified toward March 10 after Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa called elections created a tighter path for ballots. The Socialist Party is activating primaries for December. The main champion of High Speed rail for years is expected to run for the party leadership and presidency.
Peter Nuno Santos, born in São João da Madeira in 1977, served as Costa’s Infrastructure minister and, last year, urged Spain to kick off faster efforts, even though Portugal had not yet laid a single kilometer of this service. An economist trained at the Lisboa School of Economics, he led the youth wing from 2004 to 2008 and represents the party’s left flank, opposing some state debt payments during the crisis.
The Aveiro MP resigned on December 29 amid a TAP compensation scandal involving former managers. In recent months, however, he has improved his standing in parliamentary inquiries and has worked as a TV political commentator; his successor, Joao Galamba, faced scandal and resignation under the Influencer Case.
In addressing party supporters, he spoke of his strengths and flaws, his stubbornness, and his drive to take action. He noted that mistakes and wounds are part of life, and laid out priorities including wages, housing, and reorganization of the region. He highlighted José Luis Carneiro, the current Minister of Internal Affairs and a member of the more moderate wing of the party, as another key figure.
High speed train betting
Works with legal rank
This summer the High Speed axis between Lisbon and Galicia was elevated as a priority, with execution planned before 2027.
First contract in January
The initial phase, the 72-kilometer stretch to Aveiro, carries a projected cost of 1.9 billion euros.
Confirmation as a candidate
Pedro Nuno Santos, former Infrastructure minister and a vocal supporter of the rail modernization plan, aims to lead the socialist party.