Published December 10, 2025 | Category: Infrastructure

TL;DR: A new €27 million contract for ballast has been authorised on the Lorca–Vera–Almeria section of the Murcia–Almeria High-Speed Line. This is a major step forward for high-speed rail to Almeria, the official focus of current AVE development in the province.

High-speed rail to Almeria advances with new €27 million ballast contract

The future arrival of high-speed rail to Almeria has taken another visible step forward. Spain’s Council of Ministers has authorised the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility to tender a contract worth approximately €27 million for the supply of ballast – the stone foundation layer of the track – on the Lorca–Vera–Almeria section. The contract will be issued by Adif Alta Velocidad, the organisation responsible for Spain’s AVE infrastructure.

The tender covers around 935,000 tonnes of ballast for 138 km of infrastructure. Ballast is essential: together with sleepers, rails and turnouts, it creates the stable base that allows trains to run safely and smoothly at high speed. By securing this material now, the Ministry ensures the project can move decisively into its next construction phase.

Track laying is already contracted between Murcia–Lorca and Vera–Almeria, and the tender for the remaining Lorca–Vera section is being prepared. Recent awards for rails, sleepers and other components complete the package needed to continue installation towards the capital.

For residents across the route – from Pulpi and Vera to Nijar and Almeria city – this means real progress: works are shifting from earthmoving and structures to the elements that make a railway look and function like a railway.

Latest developments: €19.2 million approved as track laying moves closer

Progress on high-speed rail to Almeria continued this week with the approval of a further €19.2 million investment linked directly to the upcoming track-laying phase. The Council of Ministers authorised the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility to put out to tender, through Adif Alta Velocidad, the supply of turnouts for the Lorca–Vera section of the Murcia–Almeria High-Speed Line.

The contract includes the supply of 53 high-performance turnouts, complex railway devices that allow trains to change tracks, to be installed at four stations along the route: Puerto Lumbreras, Almendricos, Pulpí and Vera-Almanzora. These elements are essential for operational flexibility once services begin.

This approval follows the recent contracting of track assembly works and the tendering of ballast supply for the Lorca–Vera–Almeria corridor, confirming that preparations for track laying are now firmly underway. In parallel, electrification and signalling projects are progressing across different sections of the line.

A key part of the Mediterranean Corridor

The Murcia–Almeria High-Speed Line forms a core section of the Mediterranean Corridor: the European rail axis connecting southern Spain with France and the rest of the continent. Once in service, the new line will significantly improve travel times and offer a more sustainable alternative to long car journeys along the Levante coast.

The Ministry is pushing the project forward on several fronts at once. The platform — including tunnels, bridges and cuttings — is either finished or under construction along most sections. At the same time, work continues on the project for the future Pulpi–Aguilas connection, expanding regional connectivity.

This parallel approach — advancing civil works, systems and high-speed rail to Almeria preparations together — is designed to minimise delays and accelerate completion.

Electrification and advanced systems also progressing

Beyond rails and ballast, AVE services rely on modern electrification and signalling systems. Installation is already underway on the Murcia–Lorca section, including works at the Totana substation and its autotransformer stations, as well as the catenary (overhead power line).

Electrification for the Lorca–Almeria stretch is currently out to tender. Once awarded, this will allow power systems to be installed along the remainder of the route.

Meanwhile, Adif has contracted the rollout of advanced communication (GSM-R) and signalling (ERTMS) technologies. These systems deliver safety, punctuality, and seamless operation with Europe’s wider railway network.

Economic and sustainability benefits

As investment continues, the project delivers economic benefits in the form of local jobs and business for quarrying, transport, engineering and specialised rail construction. Hundreds of workers are already active on the line.

The Ministry notes that high-speed rail to Almeria supports multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals — including SDG 9 (infrastructure), SDG 7 (clean energy and sustainability), and SDG 8 (economic growth). The works may also receive support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), designed to boost cohesion and connectivity across the EU.

Direct impact for residents in the province

While ballast and signalling may sound technical, they are the steps that transform a construction platform into a working railway. Without ballast, no track can be laid; without track, there can be no electrification or safety systems — and without those, no AVE services.

The Lorca–Vera–Almeria corridor is the final missing section linking the province to Spain’s existing AVE network. Once complete, journey times to Murcia, Alicante, Madrid and beyond will drop dramatically — bringing Almeria into the centre of Spain’s high-speed future.

As track installation appears along more parts of the route, the change will become clear next to stations, viaducts and the new structures already visible on drives through the province.

Next steps towards high-speed rail to Almeria

Following these authorisations, Adif Alta Velocidad will continue publishing detailed tender documents for companies to submit bids. Over the coming months, further announcements on electrification, signalling and remaining track-laying works are expected to maintain momentum into 2026.

With the platform largely completed and systems installation advancing, the project is now entering its most decisive phase: delivering high-speed rail to Almeria.

VisitingAlmeria.com will continue tracking progress on the Murcia–Almeria High-Speed Line, focusing on what each milestone means for mobility, business and daily life in the province.

Want more updates on public works and mobility across the province? Browse the latest news in our Infrastructure section.