Work Underway on Long-Awaited Rail Upgrade
Construction work to underground the railway line and station in Igualada has officially begun, marking the start of a 30-month project to eliminate the level crossing at Avinguda Montserrat. The works, managed by the Generalitat, aim to remove a long-standing urban barrier that has divided the Sant Crist neighbourhood since at least 1984, when the issue was first raised in the Catalan Parliament. The total cost of the project is expected to reach nearly €37 million, though this figure could rise due to potential challenges such as encountering groundwater beneath the current station site, a risk previously observed during construction of the former Hotel Ciutat d’Igualada.
Intermodal Hub and Urban Regeneration
The project will see the existing surface-level station replaced with a new underground terminal, extending from the Riera d’Òdena bridge to the heart of the city. As part of the urban integration plan, the Generalitat has committed to creating a new multimodal transport hub that will connect FGC trains, bus services, taxis, bicycles, and micromobility options. According to an informative study approved by the Department of Territory, the plan includes provisions for a potential underground car park for around 325 vehicles, including spaces for people with reduced mobility and electric cars. This element was further advanced when Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) awarded the design contract for the subterranean parking facility earlier this year. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce noise pollution and visual impact while improving pedestrian and cycle connectivity between Igualada and Vilanova del Camí.
"I’ve spent 15 years as mayor trying to make this a reality. We’ve faced many disappointments, but persistence across three different political administrations has paid off,"
, Marc Castells, Mayor of Igualada Castells confirmed that a meeting with residents, FGC, and the construction company will be held in the coming days to detail the next steps. Technical teams will soon install movement sensors on nearby buildings to monitor structural safety throughout the works.
Next Stages and Public Engagement
Territori Minister Sílvia Paneque is scheduled to visit Igualada in the coming days to provide further details on the project. Her visit follows earlier announcements by former Minister Juli Fernández i Olivares, who confirmed in a 2023 press briefing that the construction design phase, valued at €582,000, had been launched with an 11-month deadline for delivery. The project aligns with broader goals of sustainable mobility and urban regeneration, aiming to reclaim public space for the community and enhance road safety by removing the at-grade rail crossing. Residents are advised that initial works are currently limited to fencing and site preparation. Full-scale construction will follow after technical planning and community consultation are completed.
Primary sources: govern.cat. Reported by transparencia.fgc.cat, La Veu de l'Anoia.
