The Catalan government’s infrastructure budget has seen a notable shift. After years with a steady allocation, the budget began to climb significantly in 2021 and is projected to rise again in the current year. In 2022, the infrastructure outlay reached a new high, reflecting the administration’s commitment to expanding and modernizing the public works program. The Treasury’s latest figures indicate that state investments in Catalonia remained at a substantial share of total spending in 2021, underscoring the regional government’s emphasis on physical development. Officials reported a high execution rate for ongoing works, signaling robust project delivery against plan.
According to officials, these budget increases are designed to strengthen and transform the country’s infrastructure, with the expectation that such improvements will yield tangible benefits for citizens. The former Home Secretary, who led the agency responsible for infrastructure management, outlined forthcoming objectives and the obstacles ahead during testimony to the Economics and Finance Commission.
Infrastructures.cat also oversees the administration of European funds earmarked for Catalonia, including allocations from Next Generation EU and the Recovery and Resilience Funds, part of Europe’s broader Recovery Plan. The framework encompasses ERDF-REACT funds and MRR allocations. The plan anticipates a total funded investment volume of roughly €664.3 million from 2021 to 2026, with about €333.8 million drawn from the ERDF-REACT fund and €330.5 million from the MRR fund. It should be noted that these figures are provisional, as some investments remain open in negotiations with various departments or public bodies.
Government and Catalan Generalitat to meet with the infrastructure commission to review investment trends
The official highlighted the steady pace of project implementation coordinated by the department, describing Infraestructures.cat as rapidly adapting to changing market conditions. He noted that despite a volatile price environment, most works continued without interruption: only a small number of the latest tenders were abandoned, with some contractors renegotiating proposed awards. The aim is to keep project momentum while addressing the inevitable market fluctuations.
Even with construction costs rising, the overall execution remains solid because the reference pricing used by designers is updated periodically. Market analysis from the Construction Technology Institute supports a dynamic pricing system that can adjust monthly if material costs surge, a mechanism embedded in recent state directives and updated as circumstances require.
Looking ahead, the key challenge for Infraestructures.cat is to strengthen its role as a public administrator by integrating management of buildings, facilities, and infrastructure across their lifecycle. This involves deeper Generalitat involvement and actions that optimize building operations and public sector support services, including shared management of public buildings and equipment.
General assessment of state investment in Catalonia
pending challenges
The department’s outstanding tasks include completing major projects such as the L9 line, the Segarra Garrigues canal, the L8 train line, and the rollout of public fiber optic networks.
The L9 project connects key economic and social hubs across multiple metropolitan areas and links to the Free Trade Zone. It features an automated, driverless operation and uses innovative construction methods for both tunnels and stations. The overall cost has long been cited, with most expenditures already incurred and only a portion of works remaining. Maintenance costs continue to be tracked even while commercial operations await full completion.
Currently, the final stage of the L8 civil works plan is designed to connect the Vallès network with the Igualada Anoia corridor, linking Gràcia and Plaça Espanya stations. Tender activity for this action is projected to run well into 2022. In addition, regional agencies oversee various canal and irrigation projects, including the Ebro Delta canals and irrigation schemes across Algerri-Balaguer, Terra Alta, Xerta-Senia, and Segarra-Garrigues. The Segarra Garrigues irrigation scheme represents a major investment with a substantial portion already realized, while Xerta-Senia involves converting thousands of hectares from rain-fed to irrigated land to benefit numerous municipalities across Baix Ebre and Montsià counties. Overall commitments remain sizable as these programs progress.