Meeting Between Junta de Andalucía and Ministry of Transport Addresses Infrastructure Concerns

In a meeting held this morning, the Junta de Andalucía engaged in discussions with the Spanish Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, focusing on the current state of the Andalusian railway map and pending infrastructure projects. The Junta emphasized the need for a “provincial commission,” consisting of technical experts from both the regional government and the Ministry, aimed at accelerating the completion of these pending projects within the community.

Among the infrastructure demands made by the Junta for the province of Córdoba—especially highlighted during earlier talks between the Andalusian President, Juanma Moreno, and Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez—is the conversion of the N-432 road into the A-81 highway. This transformation would stretch between Badajoz and Granada, passing through Córdoba, with particular emphasis on expediting the highly anticipated section between Espiel and Badajoz, currently delayed by 34 months.

Additionally, the Junta reiterated its call for improvements in connectivity, specifically the stalled project linking the A-4 and A-45 highways with the A-431. Officials from the Ministry of Transport confirmed that this project has “been stagnant for years,” but will now gain renewed focus under a potential new agreement with the Junta, 14 years after the last negotiations took place.

When it comes to railway infrastructures, the Andalusian government underscored the importance of the metrotrén as a local commuter service in Córdoba, stating that the existing link, operational since 2018 between Villarrubia and Alcolea, only caters to medium-distance travel. The Junta advocates for an extension of this service to cover the entire province from Villa del Río to Palma del Río. Further railway demands include implementing a rail gauge changer in Alcolea, completing the Almodóvar bypass, and upgrading the high-speed line connecting Seville, Córdoba, and Madrid.

In a broader call to action, Díaz suggested the formation of a permanent working committee between the Junta and the Spanish Government to oversee and expedite transportation and railway infrastructures across Andalusia and its provinces. “This committee will enable us to better understand the challenges and assist in speeding up railway projects in Andalusia, aligning regional transportation policies with national priorities,” Díaz stated.