Perthus Tunnel

Perthus Tunnel
Overview
LineLGV Perpignan–Figueres
LocationBorder between France and Spain
Coordinates42°28′N 2°52′E / 42.467°N 2.867°E / 42.467; 2.867
StatusActive
StartLa Jonquera: 42°26′49″N 2°51′43″E / 42.44694°N 2.86194°E / 42.44694; 2.86194 (La Jonquera Portal)
EndMontesquieu-des-Albères: 42°31′14″N 2°51′34″E / 42.52056°N 2.85944°E / 42.52056; 2.85944 (Montesquieu-des-Albères Portal)
Operation
Constructed2005-2009
Opened19 December 2010[1]
OperatorTP Ferro[2]
Technical
Line length8.3-kilometre (5.2 mi)

The Perthus Tunnel is a twin-bore railway tunnel between France and Spain under the Eastern Pyrenees, built as part of the high-speed railway line Perpignan-Figueres. It has made possible the implementation of direct high-speed trains connecting the two countries' railway systems since December 2013, linking the Spanish AVE network with the French TGV.[3][4][5] The tunnel is named after the nearby border town of Le Perthus.[6]

The Perthus Tunnel was built between July 2005 and February 2009, and it first opened to traffic on December 19, 2010. It was designed, built, and operated under a 50-year concession by the TP Ferro consortium. The tunnel has been designed to allow the movement of freight train as well as high speed passenger traffic. It also facilities the full interoperability of qualifying trains from either Spanish or French network without distinction.[2] It is 8.3 kilometres (5.2 mi) long.[7][8] During late 2016, TP Ferro went into liquidation, leading to a new company jointly held by Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (ADIF) and SNCF Réseau becoming responsible for the tunnel's operation.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference opening date was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference tunnel launch was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Spain completes Iberia's high-speed link to Europe". International Railway Journal. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  4. ^ "High speed services between France and Spain launched". Railway Gazette International. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  5. ^ "Paris-Barcelona TGVs set for December 15 launch". International Railway Journal. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  6. ^ "A High-Speed Connection between France and Spain" (PDF). britpave.org.uk. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Tunnel with no trains". Railway Gazette International. 15 April 2009.
  8. ^ "Le percement du tunnel du Perthus est terminé" (in French). La Dépêche. 23 November 2007.

© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search