Return to normality, but gradually. The Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, confirmed that this Thursday, November 14, high-speed trains between Madrid and Valencia will be recovered. And the same day, traffic will resume on the A7, via the bypass which has been inaugurated. And the Cercanías, the most affected, although in this case it will be through an alternative bus service that will start operating tomorrow Wednesday.
Regarding the state highway system, DANA damaged a total of 160 kilometers. For the moment, traffic has been restored on the A3, the V30, the V31 and the Nationale 3. “Work continues on national roads 330 and 322 where there are “collapsed structures,” he said. he confirmed during an appearance in Moncloa.
For the moment, 139 kilometers have been recovered and this Thursday “opens the diversion of the A7, on the Valencia ring road”. A key bypass to regain normal circulation. “Our intention is to open it on Wednesday evening, but we are at the expense of the weather situation which announces further rain, we are finishing the asphalting, we are finalizing the signage,” he said. “Barring unfavorable weather conditions, it will be open on Thursday.”
High speed and shuttle
As for trains, Puente already confirmed yesterday that this Thursday high-speed trains will run again between Madrid and Valencia.
In the case of Renfe, part of the trains will be used for relief work. “One or two cars from the first Renfe train will leave with help,” Puente said. In addition, ‘Army Charter Trains’ will also be provided to provide relief to those working in the affected area.
As for the Cercanías, the C5 and C6 lines are in service, as they were not damaged by DANA. The rest of the lines will resume service, but via buses. From tomorrow Wednesday, 52% of trips will be made by train and 48% by bus, with 112 buses, which will carry out 1,022 movements and reach 56,000 seats daily.
Puente announced that C1 would be operational from Gandía to Silla, with frequencies of 30 minutes on weekdays and 60 minutes on weekends. Between Silla and València, the journey will be by bus, with a frequency of 10 minutes during the week and will be reinforced depending on demand.
Concerning the C2, from tomorrow it will be operational between Moixent and Carcaixent and the rest will be done by bus.
The “most affected” C2 will be carried out by bus from Utiel Requena to València and all intermediate stops, with one exception. “This will not be possible in Cheste, where it is still impossible to establish an immediate stop,” Puente admitted.
