Portugal Invests €204M to Upgrade Vendas Novas Line, Boosting Sines Port-Europe Freight Corridor

LISBON, PORTUGAL – Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) has initiated a landmark modernisation of the Vendas Novas line, awarding a EUR 120 million contract to upgrade the crucial 69 km freight corridor. The project, part of a total EUR 204 million investment, is designed to significantly enhance rail freight capacity between the strategic Port of Sines and Europe by enabling the operation of 750-metre-long trains.

Main Body:

An official ceremony marked the commencement of the works, attended by high-level officials including the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, and the Chairman of IP’s Board, Miguel Cruz. The project’s primary objective is to modernise the railway infrastructure and expand station lengths to accommodate freight trains of up to 750 metres. This expansion is critical for optimising operational efficiency and strengthening the rail link between the deep-water Port of Sines, national logistics platforms, and the wider European rail network.

The comprehensive works package involves a complete renewal of the track superstructure across the 69 km line, featuring the installation of multifunctional concrete sleepers and robust 60 E1 rails. The contract also mandates the extension and renovation of five key technical stations at Muge, Agolada, Salgueirinha, Lavre, and Vidigal, alongside the rehabilitation of six additional stations. Major civil engineering works include preparing 17 km of track bed, constructing 69 new hydraulic passages for improved drainage, and enhancing safety by closing six level crossings while constructing four new elevated road crossings. A further nine level crossings will be fully automated, and new supporting infrastructure for modern signalling and telecommunications systems will be installed.

The Vendas Novas line is a strategic asset in Portugal’s national transport network. Running from Setil on the North Line to Vendas Novas on the Alentejo Line, it functions as a vital north–south freight corridor that allows traffic to bypass the heavily congested Lisbon metropolitan area. This bypass route is essential for circumventing two major bottlenecks: the load limitations on the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge and the operational saturation of Lisbon’s Belt Line. The project, part of the Plano Nacional de Investimentos 2030, is co-financed with €108 million from the Climate Action and Sustainability 2030 Programme, underscoring its alignment with national and European goals for decarbonisation and interoperability.

Key Takeaways

• Increased Freight Capacity: The upgrade will enable the line to handle 750-metre trains, projected to increase freight capacity by 50% by 2050.
• Strategic Lisbon Bypass: Modernisation strengthens a crucial corridor that avoids rail congestion in the capital, improving the resilience and speed of the national logistics chain.
• Significant Environmental Impact: The project supports Portugal’s decarbonisation strategy, with officials estimating a reduction of over 500,000 tonnes in CO₂ emissions by shifting freight from road to rail.

Editor’s Analysis

This investment in the Vendas Novas line is more than a domestic infrastructure upgrade; it’s a strategic move to solidify Portugal’s position as a primary gateway for European trade. By enhancing the landside connection to the Port of Sines, Portugal is boosting the competitiveness of the entire Iberian logistics corridor. The focus on accommodating 750-metre trains aligns directly with the TEN-T network standards, promoting seamless cross-border interoperability. For the global rail market, this project exemplifies a growing trend of targeted investments in secondary or bypass lines to unlock capacity on core networks—a cost-effective strategy that addresses bottlenecks without requiring entirely new high-capacity lines in dense urban areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main goal of the Vendas Novas line upgrade?
The primary goal is to modernise the 69 km line to accommodate 750-metre freight trains, significantly increasing capacity and operational efficiency for cargo moving between the Port of Sines, national logistics hubs, and the rest of Europe.

How much will the project cost and who is funding it?
The total investment is estimated at EUR 204 million. The main construction contract is for EUR 120 million, and the project is substantially co-financed with a €108 million contribution from the EU-backed Climate Action and Sustainability 2030 Programme.

Why is the Vendas Novas line strategically important?
It serves as a vital north-south freight corridor that allows trains to bypass the congested Lisbon metropolitan area, avoiding operational constraints such as load restrictions on the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge and traffic on the city’s Belt Line, thereby ensuring a more fluid and reliable freight flow.