Public-proposed partnerships caused delays at the beginning of the construction. The goal was to have the line ready before the World Cup, which will be very difficult. Spain already has half ready.
“I will not use the word pessimism, but we have some concern about the impetus of Portugal to accelerate these works, which could already be in other phases and with other calendars“Says José Antonio Sebastián Ruiz, Spanish government commissioner to the Atlantic corridor.
The Atlantic corridor is one of 9 financed by the European Union, and ranging from Madrid to Lisbon, passing through Alentejo. Half of the Spanish corridor is already in service, according to advances a. Another half is under construction or in contest.
The problem? It was supposed to be completed in time from the next football world in 2030, co-organized by Portugal, but it seems that this will not happen.
This is because the works in Portugal, explains the commissioner to the YouTube channel “”, will only start the works in… 2030. This is because the Spaniards bid the contest directly, while the Portuguese opt for Public-private partnerships, which delay the process.
“They are not running as they want, or as they should,” says José Antonio Ruiz, who assures that Spain has already built over 4000 km of high-speed lines. “Right now Portugal still has zero“And” not even Évora-Lvas (only section in the works phase) has entered the service. “
And also on the Porto-Vigo line the difference between the two countries is notorious: “There were statements by the Portuguese government that they would reach the border in 2032. Our minister and secretary of state expressed whatAnd when Portugal reaches the border, we will be waiting for our Portuguese companions there“.
