The City Council of Alicante has commenced the processing of an agreement with the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, the Generalitat Valenciana, and ADIF, partners in Avant, for the execution and funding of railway integration works in the city. This initiative involves covering the railway tracks and incorporating them into Parque Central.
The agreement, which has been reached by the involved administrations, must now undergo internal review and approval before it can be signed. The open file at the City Council requires reports from Urban Planning, Intervention, and Legal Advice, followed by the necessary budget allocation, which amounts to €55.1 million over ten years.
“We are at a decisive moment for the development of Parque Central, a key project for Alicante, as we have managed to reach an agreement among the involved administrations regarding the conditions and financing of the railway integration works,” said Antonio Peral, the city’s Urban Planning councillor.
The agreement pertains to the works necessary to implement the agreed technical solution, which involves covering and adapting the railway station's track area while maintaining its current height. This will allow for pedestrian continuity of the adjacent streets, connecting neighbourhoods that developed alongside the railway, and facilitating access via Bono Guarner street.
The estimated total cost of these works is €220.4 million, which will be co-financed by ADIF (50%), the City Council of Alicante (25%), and the Generalitat Valenciana (25%), with a payment schedule established over ten years. This means the City Council will contribute €55.1 million in various instalments.
This project will be coordinated with the urban development of sector OI/2, which includes Parque Central, the urbanisation over the covering slab, and the associated developments: the new Renfe station, TRAM station, underground parking for the railway station, and the future bus station, which are not part of the agreement.
Commitments from partners
In addition to covering their share of costs, the City Council of Alicante will assist in defining urban planning, intermodality, and urban mobility needs to achieve the best solution for the partial covering of the track area, aligning urban planning with the agreed solution. It will also process the necessary planning documents for the execution of the actions included in the agreement until their final approval.
ADIF will be responsible for tendering, awarding, directing, and approving all projects necessary for the implementation of the agreement, as well as managing all related works and technical assistance required for the proper execution of the project.
The Generalitat Valenciana will collaborate in defining intermodality and urban mobility needs to ensure the best integration of the new TRAM station, bus station, and other transport modes within the overall integration efforts. It will also promote and assist, within its competencies, in the necessary processing for the approval of documents required for the execution of the agreement, whether urban or environmental in nature.
To facilitate the signing of the agreement, ADIF, the Generalitat, and the City Council of Alicante will issue their respective certificates of fund availability and allocate them in their budgets. A Monitoring Committee will be established to ensure compliance with the obligations assumed by the parties and the proper execution of the actions outlined in the agreement. This committee will consist of a representative from the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, one from ADIF, one from the Generalitat, and one from the City Council of Alicante, meeting at least biannually.
