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The High-Speed Rail (HSR in English, LAV in Portuguese) between Porto and Lisbon marks a new phase in national railway investment. This project represents a significant qualitative advancement in the country’s railway system, bringing recognised social, economic and environmental benefits, both direct and indirect, to Portugal and Europe.
The HSR project between Porto and Lisbon, to be developed in Iberian gauge and fully integrated with the national railway system, is part of the Portuguese National Investment Plan (PNI) 2030. Its main objective is to reduce travel time between these two cities, to enhance the quality of medium and long-distance services, and to free up capacity on the Northern Line for regional and suburban passenger traffic, as well as freight transport, while still keeping capacity available for Intercity services, particularly for medium-distance routes.
This project, within the thematic area of Transport and Mobility, is in line with the objectives of PNI 2030, by promoting territorial connectivity, improving the country's infrastructure conditions, encouraging the decarbonisation of the economy and energy transition. It also aims to adapt territories to climate change and to ensure greater resilience of infrastructures. The High-Speed Rail project is, therefore, a strategic component of this thematic area of PNI 2030, particularly by contributing to its three main objectives:
I Territorial Cohesion;
II Competitiveness and Innovation;
III Sustainability and Climate Action.
The high-speed railway line between Porto (Campanhã) and Lisbon, designated as HSR Porto-Lisbon, will extend 295 km and will be constructed as a double-track line in Iberian gauge (1668 mm), electrified at 25 kV AC and designed for passenger traffic at a maximum speed of 300 km/h, aiming to achieve a direct travel time between Porto and Lisbon of around 1h15.
The HSR Porto-Lisbon will be built in 3 phases:
- Phase 1, subdivided into sections between Porto (Campanhã) and Oiã (referred to in this article), and between Oiã and Soure (with connection to the Northern Line);
- Phase 2, between Soure and Carregado (with connection to the Northern Line);
- Phase 3, between Carregado and Lisbon (Oriente).
The 30-year Concession of the high-speed railway line between Porto (Campanhã) and Oiã includes two phases:
Development (5 years), for the design, project, construction and financing of the infrastructure;
Availability (25 years), for maintenance and provision of the assets.
The project includes:
- Rail and road crossing over the Douro River;
- Connection to the Northern Line in Canelas (Canelas Connection), with an ascending track of 8.2 km and a descending track of 8.4 km;
- Adaptation of Campanhã Station;
- New station in Vila Nova de Gaia;
- Substation in Estarreja.
The Concession Contract covers the design, project, construction, financing, maintenance and provision by the Concessionaire of the Railway Infrastructure of the Porto (Campanhã) - Oiã section, except for the following activities, which are the responsibility of the Grantor:
a) Maintenance of Campanhã Station;
b) Maintenance of Gaia Station;
c) Maintenance of the Douro Bridge Road Component;
d) Maintenance of the switches and crossings to be installed at the connection with the Northern Line in Canelas.
The HSR section Porto (Campanhã) - Oiã, with a total length of 71 km, meets the following technical specifications:
- Double track;
- Iberian gauge (1668 mm);
- Axle load: 22.5 tonnes;
- Passenger traffic;
- Line category: P1 and P3;
- Maximum speed: 300 km/h;
- Minimum speed: 160 km/h;
- Electrification: 2x25 kV/50Hz system;
- Gauge: Ptc;
- Track centre distance for HSR: 4.70m;
- Minimum clearance height for overpasses: 7.5m;
- Passenger stations: Porto (Campanhã) and Gaia.
Connection to the Northern Line in Canelas (Canelas Connection), with an ascending track of 8.2 km and a descending track of 8.4 km, shall meet the following technical specifications:
- Double track or two single tracks;
- Iberian gauge (1668 mm);
- Axle load: 22.5 tonnes;
- Passenger traffic;
- Line category: P1 and P3;
- Maximum speed: 200 km/h;
- Minimum speed: 160 km/h;
- Electrification: 2x25 kV/50Hz system;
- Gauge: Ptc;
- Track centre distance for the Canelas Northern Line Connection: 4.30m;
- Minimum clearance height for overpasses: 7.5m.
AVAN NORTE - Gestão da Ferrovia de Alta Velocidade, S.A. was awarded the concession by Infraestruturas de Portugal, S.A. for the design, project, construction, financing, maintenance and provision of the railway infrastructure.
The Concessionaire awarded the full scope of design, project and construction works to the joint venture (ACE in Portuguese).
AVACE NORTE, ACE was established for the management/execution of the contract and is composed of the following grouped companies: Mota-Engil Engenharia e Construção, SA (36%), Teixeira Duarte (19%), Casais (15%), Alves Ribeiro (10%), Conduril (10%) and Gabriel Couto (10%).
