Government announces €66 million for modernisation of the North Line

O Government will finance with almost EUR 66 million the modernisation of North Line signaling and telecommunications through the installation of a European rail traffic management system, today has been announced.

The Notice, launched by the Sustainable thematic programme 2030, is intended for Portugal's Infrastructures and aims to co-finance the implementation of the Northern Signaling and Telecommunications System, refer to the Ministries of Economics and Territorial Cohesion, Infrastructures and Housing and the Environment and Energy in a joint communiqué.

According to the government, this ‘invitation competition’ has a value of almost EUR 66 million and a maximum contribution rate of 85%.

It explains that the investment will promote the modernisation and interoperability of the national railway infrastructure through the implementation of this European system on the North Line, strengthening “the levels of safety, reliability and efficiency of the railway operation, and aligning the national network with European standards for the management and control of rail traffic”.

The interventions include the installation of the European Train Control System (ETCS), Level 2 on the section between Granja and Gaia, the implementation of the rail mobile communications system (GSM-R) between Campanhã and Entroncation and the preparation of the section between Enthroncamento and Souselas for the future installation of Level 2 ETCS.

According to the Government, the measures will enable “improve railway traffic control, increase line operational capacity and ensure more efficient and secure communications”.

“The technological compatibility of the North Line with the European requirements for railway interoperability will also create the necessary conditions for articulation with the future Porto–Lisboa High Speed Line”, he points out.

The Minister of Economics and Territorial Cohesion, Castro Almeida, highlights in the statement “the importance of making rail transport more efficient, to attract more and more traffic and contribute to decarbonisation”.

“ We want a railroad that everyone can trust. It is with this requirement that we must continue to work. We want a safer, modern and more reliable railway that meets the needs of passengers, companies and the country,” added the Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz.

The Minister for the Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, says, in turn, that by becoming “the most accessible, sustainable and safe public transport”, the country will be “walking in broad steps towards the necessary energy transition”.

The Sustainable thematic programme 2030 was designed to help Portugal cope with the challenges of energy and climate transition.