In 2019 the Basque Government expected that by 2023 the works of the High-Speed Train (TAV) would be completed and started in 2024. But these deadlines have been constantly extended. On Tuesday, the Governing Council approved the agreement with the Spanish Railway Infrastructure Manager (Adif), with the draft of the railway section between Basauri and Abando station being available to the Government, as well as the execution and direction of the works of the same section. The works will start in 2026 and the government plans to complete them by 2033.

It is a tunnel of 6.2 kilometres that will connect the section already completed Galdakao-Basauri with the station of the Biscay capital. It will be implemented with a budget of EUR 226.52 million. They want to build the new TAV station under the current one, but it is also part of another project under development and corresponds to engineering Idom.

The Councillor for Transport of the Basque Country, Iñaki Arriola, has pointed out that they will go “step by step” and much importance will be attached to the conclusion of the agreement with Adif first. The counselor says they will need two years to draft the project and the Government expects construction to begin in 2026. Arriola believes they can put the Basque Y by 2027, building temporary stops in Basauri and Vitoria.

Gipuzkoan section

The Basque Government has pointed out that most of the works have already been completed in the Gizpukoa section between Bergara and Donostia, and that in addition to those of Hernani and Astigarraga, the new station in San Sebastian is still missing. Arriola says these two varieties will end in 2024 and 2025 respectively.