Aragon and Andalusia join forces to accelerate the Algeciras–Zaragoza rail highway

The presidents of Aragon and Andalusia , Jorge Azcón and Juanma Moreno Bonilla, signed a collaboration protocol this Friday in Zaragoza to accelerate work on the rail highway connecting Algeciras with Zaragoza. Both communities want to make this 1,048-kilometer axis from the Andalusian city to Plaza de España a freight transport hub that can connect Morocco with Spain and, in turn, through the Central Pyrenees Crossing and the reopening of the Canfranc, with France and the rest of Europe.

In a joint appearance from the Pignatelli (City of Madrid), Azcón and Moreno called for ” strengthening existing synergies ” and involving the rest of the stakeholders and social agents involved in this project. They agreed to create a Works Monitoring Committee, the responsibility of the Central Government, which will meet at least every six months. The protocol will be valid for four years and, as both acknowledged, seeks to continue the work begun in 2022 by former Socialist President Javier Lambán , whom they thanked for his work.

The leader of the Andalusian Regional Government has pointed out that Adif has already launched various projects, but they do not, a priori, meet the Ministry’s initial deadlines, which were actually set for last year. Moreno Bonilla’s forecast now extends to 2027 onward, although nothing is firm. Once completed, trucks could access rail convoys and thus reduce the carbon footprint. The entire process involves modifying tracks, tunnels, and crossings.

Both presidents have emphasized their territories as key points in logistics, so their interconnection becomes, in their opinion, ” a national project ” or, as Azcón emphasized, one that transcends the continental level due to the connection between North Africa and Europe. The north and south of the peninsula would thus allow “the structuring and unification of Spain from two peripheral perspectives,” Moreno argued, after also supporting his Aragonese counterpart regarding the Central Crossing.

In Azcón’s opinion, the combination of the TCP, the Canfranc , and the axis from Andalusia would ease border crossings in Catalonia and the Basque Country. Strengthening “sustainable” freight transport via trains would also benefit France and Portugal, he added. The head of the DGA also urged the central government to “decisively” support the “high-performance” Cantabrian-Mediterranean Corridor.

“Promoting and defending transport infrastructure is key to our logistics strategies, paying special attention to the rail highway and the promotion of the TCP. Let’s remember that Europe requires, by 2050, that 45% of goods must be transported by rail, when currently, that percentage in Spain barely reaches 4%,” Azcón emphasized.

In Zaragoza, Juanma Moreno praised the ” enormous work ” of his Aragonese counterpart in logistics and in making the region a hub for “attracting investment and innovation.” ” Aragon continues to grow,” praised the Andalusian leader.