Portugal's Ambitious High-Speed Rail Project Gains Approval, Unlocking EU Funding for a Sustainable Future

Date:17.01.2024

In a historic development poised to reshape Portugal's transportation landscape, the caretaker government has given the green light for an international tender to construct and operate the inaugural section of a high-speed railway connecting Lisbon and Porto. This crucial approval, secured just in time, opens the doors to a substantial 729 million euros in funding from the Connecting Europe Facility, marking a significant milestone for the long-anticipated project.

Brussels' warning about the time-sensitive nature of the tender underscores the importance of this initiative, valued at over 5.5 billion euros ($6 billion). The envisioned high-speed railway aims to revolutionize travel between Portugal's capital and its second-largest city, Porto, slashing the current journey time of over three hours to a mere 75 minutes, with full operation expected post-2030.

Embracing a dynamic public-private partnership model, private entities will be granted up to five years to oversee the construction and, subsequently, a 25-year concession to operate the railway. The first phase, comprising two sections covering a distance of over 120 km and estimated at 3.55 billion euros, is on track for completion in 2028. The government's recent approval of the tender specifically targets the initial 70 km section between Porto and Aveiro.

Looking ahead, the second phase of the project, spanning approximately 120 km from Coimbra to Carregado, is projected to cost around 1.9 billion euros. While costs for the final phase to Lisbon are yet to be unveiled, the government's commitment to advancing sustainable transportation is evident in its vision for the railway.

Portugal envisions this high-speed rail as a key strategy to reduce reliance on motorways and air traffic, aligning with its broader goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. By promoting train travel as an eco-friendly alternative, the government aims to curtail carbon emissions and contribute to a cleaner, greener future for the nation.

Despite receiving approval from the environment agency APA for the stretch between Porto and Coimbra last year, the project faces growing opposition from several municipalities and environmentalists. This opposition underscores the delicate balance between progress and environmental concerns, prompting a nuanced discussion on the need for sustainable development.

As Portugal embarks on this ambitious journey towards modernizing its transportation infrastructure, the successful realization of the high-speed railway holds the promise not only of enhanced connectivity but also of significant strides towards achieving the nation's environmental sustainability objectives. The intricacies surrounding the project illuminate the challenges of balancing progress with environmental responsibility, highlighting the importance of a thoughtful and inclusive approach to infrastructure development