This putting into service involved a radical change in railway communications between Europe and Spain because, for the very first time in history, it will be possible to cross the frontier by train, without having to change trains or track width.
The indicated services will have connections at the Figueras-Vilafant station with Renfe services that will extend the journey to Barcelona Sants Station in one hour and forty-three minutes, with an intermediate stop in Girona.
Moreover, on the 21st of December, the first goods train also circulated along this line. From this date, eight trains a week of combined transport will connect the Port of Barcelona with the Lyon container terminal, circulating along UIC international track width, without cargo separation. These trains will be pulled by Renfe series 252 electric locomotors that are specially prepared for circulation with the ERTMS signalling system and three power supply voltages.
The concession for which is held by the company TP Ferro Concesionaria, 50% owned by Iridium Concesiones and companies of the ACS Group, manages the public works concession contract for the construction, operation and maintenance of a high-speed rail line, carrying mixed traffic (passengers and goods) and with a double track between Figueras and Perpignan, including the construction of the Perthus tunnel, as well as the construction of the facilities, equipment and connections with the railway systems of Spain and France that are necessary.
With a length of 44.5 kilometers and a project investment for a value of 1,148 million euros has a grant of Euro 678 million and the project financing, amounting to Euro 410 million, has been awarded the following prizes:
* The Euromoney magazine granted the prize for the best financing in the year 2005 for a transport infrastructure project - Project Finance Deal of the Year.
* The Project Finance magazine granted the prize for the best financing in the year 2005 for a railway transport project - EMEA Transport / Rail Deal of the Year.
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