The Mediterranean Corridor Advances with Project to Eliminate Level Crossing in Villena

The Generalitat has unlocked the project that will allow the elimination of the railway level crossing on the La Encina-Alicante line, advancing the progress of the Mediterranean Corridor works. The publicity of the route and the increase in train speeds make the existence of level crossings incompatible.

This was announced by the Minister of Infrastructure, Vicente Marínez Mus. The head of the department highlighted an intervention that will have an investment of 5.2 million euros and which "represents a fundamental action for road safety, pedestrian mobility, and the continuity of the Mediterranean Corridor works."

The investment is backed by the Ministry of Transport thanks to the signed agreement, and the works have an execution period of 24 months. The elimination of the level crossing will channel urban traffic towards an outer ring road.

"It is a plan that had been blocked and required a decisive push to significantly improve connectivity and safety in Villena, as well as to allow the advancement of the Mediterranean Corridor," explained the minister.

The activity was initially budgeted at three million euros and has been reviewed by the Directorate General of Road Infrastructure of the Generalitat this legislature to avoid the termination of the contract that had been planned two years ago, which would have further delayed the timelines.

"We have worked for months on technical and economic viability, drafted a modified project, and extended the execution deadlines," said Martínez Mus. If this step had not been completed, the minister emphasized, it would have been necessary to draft a new contract, "which would have meant a delay of several years and prolonged a dangerous level crossing for people."

Preliminary studies, surveys, and technical coordination with Adif, municipalities, and affected companies will be carried out throughout the summer. The works are scheduled to begin in the second half of September, once the patron saint festivities of Villena are concluded.

The project includes the elimination of the level crossing and the redevelopment of Rosalía de Castro Street in Villena, where an underpass for vehicles and pedestrians and a second pedestrian level crossing will be built. Additionally, a complete urban ring road with lanes, roundabouts, sidewalks, a cyclist path, and parking areas will be constructed.