A major high speed project linking Lisbon and Porto has been shaping the national rail dialogue. The Portuguese government has signaled an expansion plan to include Vigo by 2030, using the proposal as a strategic push for faster cross-border travel and as leverage in Iberian discussions about regional infrastructure. The move, undertaken with the participation of the Infrastructure Minister, aimed to accelerate modernization efforts after years of stalled progress, while a 2030 World Cup timeline added impetus for cooperation across borders.
That bold effort, backed by government officials and regional partners, became the starting signal for a broad push to overhaul the country’s railway network after more than two decades of delays. The refrain has been echoed on both sides of the border, with the World Cup as a shared incentive to deliver faster, more reliable transport connections.
Portugal raises the cost estimate for the Lisbon–Galicia AVE project to about 8 billion euros
Months later, as the first contracts took shape, the scale of the ambition was met with sober realities. The program to launch a about 290-kilometer line between Lisbon and Porto by around 2028 faced new financial and logistical challenges, with forecasts suggesting the Galicia segment could become the most difficult portion to complete by 2030. Project costs for the initial segment tendered so far rose markedly, reaching approximately 8 billion euros.
Political dynamics in Portugal continued to unfold. The Assembly of the Republic gave broad support to the early tender for the first 71 kilometers between Porto and Oia, at the southern edge of Aveiro. Yet planning disagreements persisted, and opposition parties questioned the execution timeline and cost escalations. The initial contract expansion—from about 1.6 billion euros to around 2.14 billion euros—included a long-term management and maintenance period of 25 years.
The planned Lisbon–Oporto–Vigo corridor has been described as a transformative project for Iberia, stimulating discussions on regional connectivity and long-term transport strategy. Estimates place the total global investment for the Lisbon–Valença segment in the vicinity of 7 to 8 billion euros when the later Porto–Valença link is included, according to statements from infrastructure officials compiled by national agencies.
The budgetary framework for the first four phases—Oporto–Aveiro, Aveiro–Coimbra, Coimbra–Carregado, and Braga–Valença—was forecast at roughly 2,000 million euros per phase, with anticipated cost pressures surpassing initial projections. The inclusion of a link to Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport was planned for a later stage, with an earlier budget estimate around 800 million euros for the Porto–Braga connection. In a broader view, the total investment and phasing were subject to updates as environmental and tender processes advanced.
Looking back at the project timeline, the environmental and procurement milestones shifted, pushing regulatory and tender activities forward by about two years. The Galicia route, in particular, faced the most disruption, while officials indicated that preparatory information studies would commence shortly. The tender horizon moved to 2025 or 2026, with construction targeting 2027–2028, in step with broader European fund programs and cross-border planning. Coordination with the Miño River crossing and the integration with existing lines at Tui and Valença were identified as critical elements for the next phase of development.
Line targets
A major logistical undertaking loomed large in discussions about hosting a future World Cup. In interviews with media outlets, former transport officials and football body leaders framed the train project as central to Iberia’s bid for international event hosting. Stakeholders suggested that the proposed line could enable a rapid, reliable connection between Vigo, Porto, and Lisbon, delivering journey times close to an hour for core segments and shorter trips throughout the region.
Rail experts emphasized that this corridor would move quickly and with minimal pauses, highlighting the impact of a seamless cross-border service on regional mobility. The project’s trajectory was tied to broader European investment programs and the anticipated involvement of EU funds before 2040, though regional timelines and milestones might stretch into the following decades.
Tastings from Vigo’s southern exit toward the border
Spain’s efforts to advance the high-speed axis to the border continued to outpace those of Portugal in certain stretches. The shorter southern segment remains under active construction, with the Vigo South Railway Exit serving as a cornerstone for completing the Atlantic Axis and extending toward the Portuguese border. Archaeological and route studies, funded through commission warrants, proceeded to refine alignment and surface works.
As survey work progresses, route options for a potential tunnel near Porriño are being evaluated, with studies set to be publicly released for consultation. Interim results from updated analyses are anticipated to inform the environmental impact assessment process and guide final routing decisions.
– End of summary with attribution to national sources and transport authorities. — (Source: Lusa)