{"id":2972,"date":"2018-02-08T20:00:17","date_gmt":"2018-02-08T19:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.revistaitransporte.com\/?p=2972"},"modified":"2018-02-14T19:50:03","modified_gmt":"2018-02-14T18:50:03","slug":"major-efforts-to-complete-the-basque-y","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.revistaitransporte.com\/major-efforts-to-complete-the-basque-y\/","title":{"rendered":"Complete the \u2018Basque Y\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
The works to install a third rail on the Astigarraga-Ir\u00fan stretch in Guip\u00fazcoa will make it possible to extend the \u2018Basque Y\u2019 \u2013the future high-speed line between Vitoria, Bilbao and San Sebasti\u00e1n\u2013 to the French border via the Madrid-Hendaya national gauge line.<\/p>\n
The Basque Regional government and the Ministry of Public Works, through the Monitoring and Coordination Commission for the Construction of the New Railway Network in the Basque Country, agreed to accelerate the entry into service of the different stretches that make up this network in the area around San Sebasti\u00e1n. With this objective, at the end of 2011, it was decided to install a third rail on the national-gauge line between Astigarraga and Ir\u00fan to enable high-speed trains to use the new infrastructure, make commercial stops in the centre of San Sebasti\u00e1n, at Atocha station and continue on to Ir\u00fan and France without the need to perform reversing or gauge-switching manoeuvres.<\/p>\n
The works executed by Adif, in which Ineco is participating, include actions on the infrastructure, track, catenary and safety systems along the 20-kilometre route, with the adaptation of tunnels, metal bridges, stations and stops for mixed traffic situations taking on special significance.<\/p>\n
The works executed by ADIF and Ineco include actions on the infrastructure, track, catenary and safety systems<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Excavation without disrupting rail traffic<\/b><\/h4>\n
The installation of a third rail in a conventional, so-called \u2018old\u2019, network with a completely urban track layout is a complex task that encompasses all of the structural and technical aspects of the railway line. The most challenging action though is undoubtedly that of enlarging the three tunnels on the Astigarraga-Ir\u00fan stretch (Gaintxurizqueta, Loyola and Capuchinos) in order to comply with the values established in the Railway Gauge Instruction. The return to rail freight transport involves the use of intermodal transportation and the need for increasingly wider gauges on infrastructures that date back to the nineteenth century. Although these have been adapted over time, a major overhaul is now necessary in order to meet the new requirements. This represents a widespread problem for railway networks that must be addressed. In order to minimize disruption of rail services, Ineco has used a new construction system that has been implemented over recent years in Europe and introduced it in Spain. It involves making tunnel widening, excavation and new support placement work compatible with the passing of trains over an interior central track. This also has the added complexity of allowing trains to run on an electrified track.<\/p>\n