The Catalan government is studying the construction of a new high-speed AVE station in the Vallès region, potentially serving cities like Sabadell and Sant Cugat. The plan forms part of the newly commissioned first-phase study for the Eix Transversal Ferroviari, which aims to reroute Madrid–Barcelona AVE services through Barcelona’s La Sagrera station via a new rail link between Martorell and Mollet.
According to the procurement specifications set by Ifercat, the public infrastructure agency, the project includes plans for a "new intermodal passenger station in the Vallès". While no specific municipality has yet been confirmed, the station must allow direct transfers between Rodalies R8 services and lines operated by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), narrowing potential sites to key interchange points.
Sant Cugat and Sabadell in Contention
Two long-planned interchanges in Sant Cugat, Volpelleres and Hospital General, are now emerging as strong candidates. Both are intended to connect FGC’s S1 and S2 lines with the R8 Rodalies route. Though these interchanges have faced years of delays, a budget of €36 million has been agreed, preliminary studies have begun, and local officials anticipate completion within three years.
“There was already an initial project back in 2009–2010, but what’s interesting now is this new branch towards Martorell. Here in the Vallès, we’ve had a major deficit in both rail and road infrastructure for decades, so we find this option very promising.”
, Adrián Hernández, Deputy Mayor and acting mayor of Sabadell
Sabadell’s Plaça Espanya station also meets the required connectivity criteria, positioning it as another viable contender. Officials expect further clarity when Infrastructure Minister Sonia Ferrer meets mayors across the metropolitan arc in September to discuss ongoing developments.
Limited Timeline for Orbital Line
Another major rail initiative under consideration is the Línia Orbital, a long-demanded loop line connecting Vilanova i la Geltrú to Mataró via Sabadell. However, even if approved, implementation is not expected before 2040, according to current assessments published by govern.cat.
Primary sources: govern.cat, territori.gencat.cat. Reported by radiosabadell.fm, P. L. M, Diari de Terrassa, TOT Sant Cugat, Pau Lizana Manuel, lavanguardia.com, diaridetarragona.com, Oriol Daviu, larazon.es, europapress.es, eleconomista.es, Agències, María Bosch, Ràdio Sabadell.
