Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) has announced that the link corridor connecting metro lines L1 and L5 at Plaça de Sants in Barcelona will close for extensive accessibility works from 27 April. The vital underground passage is expected to remain shut until spring 2027, when the project is scheduled for completion.
The closure is part of a broader initiative to improve metro accessibility at the Plaça de Sants station, particularly for the L5 line, which includes expanding the vestibule and installing new lifts. TMB described the closure of the link corridor as "an indispensable measure" to allow for the necessary widening of the space.
During the closure, passengers who typically use the interchange, which handles approximately 12,000 transfers between L1 and L5 daily, will need to use alternative routes. These alternatives involve either travelling above ground or utilising other stations within the metro network.
Works on this first phase of the accessibility upgrade began in February and focus on enhancing the L5 station. Beyond the corridor's renovation, the project will see the installation of three new lifts. One lift will connect the station vestibule directly to the street, while the other two will link the vestibule to each of the platforms and the L1 interchange corridor.
Major Accessibility Upgrades Underway
Further improvements include the construction of two new emergency exits from the platforms, with one leading to the vestibule level and the other directly to the street. The access point at Plaça de Sants will also be enlarged, and new devices will be installed to assist people with visual impairments. Additionally, a new ticket barrier system with wider access points will be introduced to facilitate smoother passage for all users.
The first phase of adapting the Plaça de Sants interchange for people with reduced mobility represents an investment of €15.2 million. This significant investment underscores the commitment to modernising Barcelona's public transport infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the Barcelona City Council is collaborating with the Generalitat's Department of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition to draft a project for the future urbanisation of Plaça de Sants itself. Concurrently, the Department is developing the construction project for improved accessibility at the L1 station, marking the second phase of the Plaça de Sants interchange adaptation.
This second phase also encompasses accessibility upgrades at Verdaguer (L5) and Urquinaona (L1 and L4) stations. The total projected investment for adapting the remaining stations across the network is estimated at €109 million, highlighting a long-term commitment to ensuring comprehensive metro accessibility throughout Catalonia's capital.
