The Generalitat de Catalunya has set between 2034 and 2041 the entry into service of the Línia Orbital Ferroviària, a 120-kilometer connection between Vilanova i la Geltrú and Mataró that will avoid passing through Barcelona and will cross Vallès. The project, presented this Monday at noon by president Salvador Illa in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, foresees 23 new stations and an investment of 5.2 billion euros.
The main novelty is that part of the new mobility will arrive before the complete line itself. In 2032 it will already be possible to travel from Terrassa to Martorell without passing through Barcelona, although it will be necessary to transfer in Barberà, while the full deployment of the orbital will not be completed until 2041.
The first section will connect Terrassa and Granollers in 2034
The first phase to enter service will connect Terrassa and Granollers and will link the three capitals of Vallès. To do so, the Generalitat will take advantage of part of the current R4 tracks between Terrassa and Sabadell and will then use sections of the R3, which will be duplicated.
In addition, the project includes new tracks between Sabadell Nord and Santa Perpètua, passing through Barberà, and between Montmeló and Granollers. On this route, the stations of Sabadell Can Llong, Can Llobet, Santiga, Montmeló Nord, and Terrassa Oest a Can Boada will be built, where there will also be depots and a workshop.
In parallel, over the next six years, the Generalitat will reinforce the R8 with an infrastructure upgrade and an increase in frequencies. This line will also gain importance as a connection point for the future orbital.
The line will add 68 new kilometers and three interchanges
Of the total 120 kilometers planned, 68 will be newly constructed and 52 will use existing sections of the R3, R4, and R8 lines. The Línia Orbital Ferroviària has been designed to link corridors that today force many journeys between metropolitan counties to pass through Barcelona.
The scheme incorporates three interchanges with other railway lines. They will be at Hospital General to connect with the S1, at Volpalleres with the S2, and at Riu Sec with the R4.
The Government places the project's area of influence at 3.2 million people and estimates 30 million annual trips and 29,000 fewer vehicles each day on the road network. The infrastructure will be integrated into the Catalan Railway Strategy for the mobility of the Metropolitan Region of Barcelona.
Martorell, Mataró, and Vilanova will enter later in a schedule until 2041
The section between Mataró and Granollers is planned for 2037 and will be entirely new construction. It will have stations in Granollers Sud-La Torreta, La Roca, Argentona, and three more in Mataró.
Later will come the connection between Terrassa and Martorell, set for the end of 2040. That sector will link Vallès with Baix Llobregat through about 15 kilometers of new track following the route of the Quart Cinturó, with stops in Viladecavalls, Esparreguera, Abrera, and three stations in Martorell.
The last section to be completed will be the one from Vilafranca to Vilanova i la Geltrú, planned for 2041 and with a completely new route through Canyelles, Sant Pere de Ribes, and Garraf. An agreement with Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya to unblock the budgets will allow the execution of the section between Santa Perpètua de Mogoda and Terrassa, also with a horizon of 2041.