EXTENSION OF BARRACAS STATION TO 750 METRES. This station has a single, general-purpose track and two parking tracks, both downward. In terms of planned works, the two existing turnouts will be taken up, between the general-purpose track and track 3, and replaced with new equipment: namely, two turnouts at the threshold in Teruel and a crossover at the entry to Sagunto. Track 3 on the Sagunto side will be extended, with activities including the renovation and assembly of the new track and the construction of 40-metre shunting necks at either end. The elevated gradient of the general-purpose track will need to be adapted in line with track 3, meaning it will also be necessary to overlay the trackbed.<\/p><\/div>\n
Other ongoing work to improve the safety of the line and extend its useful life includes the development of solutions for problems related to embankment settlements, drainage, and slippage that has been detected in certain cuttings. Some of these embankments required complex measures; for example, the embankment at Navarrete del R\u00edo, whose proximity to the River Pancrudo necessitated reinforcement with piles.<\/p>\n
The electrification of the 25kV line is the next major milestone, with completion expected in 2025. Currently, plans are being drawn up and contracts awarded for the construction of the new substations and associated autotransformer stations; the remote power control system and high-voltage line in the areas of Cari\u00f1ena and Villafranca; and the electrification of the Zaragoza-Teruel section. Soon, bids will be invited for the adaptation of the signalling installations throughout the entire section following its electrification, while the environmental surveys, studies and other procedures for the Teruel-Sagunto section are currently being carried out.<\/p>\n
One of the main challenges for electrification is to make sure the existing 19 tunnels and 148 overpasses have the necessary clearance for the installation of the new overhead line. Ineco has already spent two years drawing up plans for the work.<\/p>\n
REPLACEMENT OF RAILWAY SLABS. The line currently incorporates numerous structures with a clear span of approximately 3.00 m. The deck for these structures consists of railway slabs with abutments and masonry wingwalls\/supporting walls, whose width varies from 5.20 m to 5.45 m. These slabs will be replaced with two reinforced concrete half-slabs prefabricated in situ<\/em> next to the structure or in the factory.<\/p><\/div>\nOther activities<\/h4>\n
The completed and ongoing activities have resulted in the creation of synergies between administrations. The government of Aragon is to build a freight terminal for 750-metre trains at Teruel Logistics Platform (PLATEA), with a branch line to the station at Cella (which will also be adapted in line with the construction plan drawn up by Ineco). The port of Valencia is also contributing to this investment.<\/p>\n
In addition to the aforementioned works, Ineco is also carrying out a range of planning activities, developing and updating the informative studies for the line with a view to improving its performance. Provisional approval has been given to the informative study of the line between Teruel and Zaragoza; for the purposes of analysis, the study divides the line into 10 sections and proposes the construction of a bypass for three of them and track duplication for the rest. Effectively, the study proposes the creation of an electrified, high-performance double track capable of linking Zaragoza to Teruel in one hour and 10 minutes.<\/p>\n
Ineco has also been awarded the contract for the informative study of the line between Teruel and Sagunto, in order to assess how it can be made compatible with the Mediterranean Corridor (part of the European Union\u2019s TEN-T basic network).<\/p>\n