High-speed rail link to Almería in 2026

Almería’s long-awaited high-speed rail (AVE) connection will now arrive in 2028, backed by the Almería Chamber of Commerce.

The seventh report from the platform’s advisory committee was presented on Thursday, April 24, at Grupo Cajamar’s headquarters in Almería’s Science and Technology Park.

The biggest obstacle is the complex tunnelling project beneath Lorca, Murcia, set to be finished by December 2026. Chamber President Jerónimo Parra noted that after completion come the other tasks, such as track installation, electrification, cabling setup, and safety checks by the Railway Safety Agency, which might take a few months, adding to the date for the AVE to arrive, but safety is critical, and all checks have to be made. Parra said that it might be even the beginning of 2027, but it will arrive and it will radically improve transport from Almería. Also, once the line is laid, it is open to more competitive pricing from Iryo, Ouigo and Avlo operators.

Progress is significant, with all sections from Lorca to Almería under construction, including Lorca and Almería stations. Vera’s station awaits project approval but could begin this year. Dry ports in Níjar and Pulpí, vital for freight, face some bureaucratic hurdles, with completion projected for late 2027. Nonetheless, the government remains optimistic the fast train will be completed as soon as possible, easing road congestion by shifting 400 trucks a day to rail.