Adif AV Marks New Milestone in High-Speed Rail with Ourense Bypass Viaduct Completion

Adif AV has achieved a significant milestone in the construction of the Ourense Outer Bypass. The project, spanning 8 kilometers, recently saw the completion of the deck assembly on one of its largest viaducts.

This viaduct, crucial to the standard gauge line being constructed between Taboadela and Seixalbo, measures 356 meters in length and 43 meters in height. It strategically crosses the OU-525 road and the Barbaña River, making it the second longest on this route. The construction of this viaduct, following the significant Rante tunnel, represents a major advancement in the project.

The construction of this vital viaduct involved the deployment of a high-speed double-track deck on eight piers. The deck, constructed from prestressed in-situ concrete in a box section, was built using an innovative span-by-span approach with self-shoring. This engineering feat is part of the broader Taboadela-Seixalbo section, which has seen an investment of 125.5 million euros. This section is integral to the Madrid-Galicia high-speed railway platform, offering a continuous electrified double track in standard gauge. Once complete, it will enhance railway connectivity between Galicia and central Spain, increasing line capacity and regularity, and reducing travel times.

In addition to the viaduct, progress on the Ourense Outer Bypass includes the Rante Tunnel-Seixalbo Connection, encompassing 2.3 kilometers with multiple viaducts and underpasses, and the Taboadela-Túnel de Rante subsection, with a focus on the 3.4-kilometer Rante tunnel. These developments underscore Adif's commitment to reinforcing Ourense as a key railway hub in Galicia, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 9 for sustainable and quality infrastructure. The expansion and remodeling of the Ourense station, along with the transformation of the old San Francisco station into a Traffic Regulation Center, are also underway, further solidifying Galicia's rail infrastructure.