Arrival of high speed connectivity in the Murcia region marks a significant milestone. Adif is set to begin reliability tests on Wednesday, October 26, for the AVE line connecting Murcia with Madrid.
The information was confirmed today by the current government attendee and the PSRM-PSOE secretary general, Jose Veles. The tests are scheduled to conclude on October 30, provided there are no major issues in principle.
Following the tests, the file will be handed to the State Railways Police Department for oversight and training of drivers, Veles explains. If everything aligns as hoped, excursions could begin in the second or third week of December, with routes from Murcia to Madrid and back by AVE.
Tests with positive results
Recently, Veles noted that all tests conducted by Adif yielded positive results, which could allow the Murcia to Madrid line to enter service in under two months. Earlier, in May, Adif started testing the Murcia to Beniel section with laboratory trains that accompany the tracks and verify the operation of the catenary along the entire journey.
The initial portion of electric infrastructure across the region was a key milestone, with commissioning previously postponed to allow for the burial tunnel work and to avoid the barrier effect of the railway as it traverses Murcia.
Ministry hopes tests proceed without delaying the planned date
The Ministry of Development and Infrastructure notes that there is no new information regarding the AVE arrival since tests began on May 13. The department, led by Jose Ramon Diez de Revenge, hopes these new tests do not push back the scheduled date for AVE access to the area, emphasizing that every day counts in seizing opportunities.
In a related note, officials from the ministry commented that the shift in plan did not reflect a political decision but a technical one. The ministry argued that the change kept the project on a viable path and avoided broader budgetary risks.
From the ministry’s perspective, the shift carries significant economic implications for the region. The potential outcomes include the creation of thousands of jobs, substantial investment, and an increase in passenger traffic. Optimists point to the possibility of stimulating hotel demand and local services as the AVE connection materializes.
Travel times between Orihuela and Madrid currently span about two and a half to three hours and nine minutes, depending on the chosen stops within the Alicante area. With the Murcia route adding another link, regional and national rail travel could see meaningful reductions in journey times for residents and visitors alike, opening new possibilities for regional mobility and economic activity.