Porto Metro Extension Project Profile: Yellow (D) & Pink (G) Lines

The Porto Metro expansion represents a strategic infrastructure enhancement for Portugal’s second-largest city, involving the southward extension of the Yellow Line (D) and the construction of a new circular Pink Line (G). This multi-faceted project is engineered to increase network capacity, integrate underserved districts into the rapid transit system, and advance urban sustainability goals through modern rolling stock and construction techniques.

Project Fact Sheet

Technical Specifications

Route Engineering & Tunnelling

The project consists of two distinct engineering challenges. The Yellow Line (Line D) extension adds 3.5 km of dual-track light rail southward from Santo Ovídio, servicing the high-density districts of Vila Nova de Gaia. The alignment includes 3.15 km of track, a new viaduct, a 770-meter tunnel, and three new stations: Manuel Leão, Hospital Santos Silva, and Vila d’Este. Construction methodologies were adapted to the diverse terrain, balancing at-grade and below-grade sections to minimize surface disruption.

The new Pink Line (Line G) is a 3.1 km underground circular route designed to improve connectivity within Porto’s city center. It creates a vital link between key hubs like Casa da Música and São Bento. Its four new stations—Hospital Santo António, Galiza, Liberdade (S. Bento), and Boavista (Casa da Música)—are being constructed using a combination of cut-and-cover and mining excavation techniques, selected based on geotechnical surveys and the density of existing urban infrastructure. The design includes three ventilation shafts to ensure compliance with modern tunnel safety and air quality standards.

Rolling Stock & Systems

The operational capacity of the expanded network will be supported by 18 new bi-directional Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) procured from CRRC Tangshan. These vehicles are designed to accommodate 252 passengers, with 64 seated, and operate at a maximum speed of 80 km/h. The fleet is powered by a 750V DC electric traction system delivered via a rigid overhead catenary. To support the expanded fleet, a new depot with a capacity for 30 trains is being constructed along the Yellow Line. The procurement, fully funded by Portugal’s Environmental Fund, includes a five-year maintenance contract, ensuring high availability and reliability from the onset of operations.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Network Expansion: The project addresses critical gaps in Porto’s public transport network by connecting previously underserved residential areas in Vila Nova de Gaia and establishing a new circular route to decongest the city center.
• Commitment to Sustainability: Through the procurement of 18 energy-efficient LRVs and the promotion of public transit, the project is projected to yield annual energy savings equivalent to 98.61 tonnes of oil, significantly reducing the city’s carbon footprint.
• Advanced Engineering & Collaboration: The project showcases a complex integration of tunnelling methods (cut-and-cover, mining), viaduct construction, and station architecture, managed through a consortium of specialized international and local engineering, construction, and design firms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will the new Porto Metro lines open?
Based on the official construction timelines of 34 to 42 months, the Yellow and Pink line extensions are projected to become fully operational in phases through late 2025 and early 2026. Final commissioning and testing will determine the precise public opening dates.

Who is building the Porto Metro extension?
The construction is being led by a joint venture of Ferrovial Construction and Albero Couto Alves. The new trains are manufactured by CRRC Tangshan, with design and engineering managed by a consortium including SENER and Amberg Engineering, and architectural design by Eduardo Souto Moura.