The Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, assured that the high-speed line between Madrid and Valencia will be operational “at most” in 15 days. As the minister explained in one of the two affected tunnels, the Torrent tunnel, no damage was caused “beyond the flooding”.
Punte explained in an interview with RNE’s “Las Mañanas” program that the Chiva tunnel will have to be reconstructed. In addition, the minister assured that the Government had already approved 13 million euros to begin “urgently” restoring the A-7, closed and impossible to travel.
The government hopes that in 10 or 12 days it will be able to reopen the A-7 to traffic, although at a limited speed thanks to the installation of a few “cardboards”.
“The work started yesterday, we cannot go any faster,” insisted the minister. Puente stressed once again that the situation is “extremely serious,” with 80 kilometers of the state highway network affected by damage.
Puente also announced 12.2 million euros for the repair of the N-322 and recalled that the A-3 is only open to emergency services, but that it is necessary to circulate “while turning” due to damage and vehicle accumulation.
The most serious damage is concentrated on the Valencia suburban network, since of the five existing lines, three have disappeared, notably the C3, with 45 kilometers of which “nothing can be recovered”.
Asked about the areas to which aid has not yet been able to reach, as is the case of Chiva, he assured that the Executive has put all means at the service of the Generalitat Valenciana and stressed that yesterday we already spoke of several of the helicopters joining the device to transport supplies to these areas.
“I put myself in your place, but I ask for calm and that the recommendations of the emergency services be followed,” added Puente, who admitted to being “concerned” but devoting “all his energy and dedication” to trying to resolve the situation. and that help arrives “as soon as possible”.
He stressed once again that “we are a decentralized country” and endowed with “clear powers” and that is why it is the Generalitat which manages the aid, with the collaboration of the central government. “Things are done better together,” he noted.
Regarding sanitation infrastructure, he stressed that they are “seriously damaged”, both supply and supply infrastructure, so “it will take a long time” to return to normality and we must look for “alternative channels ” and that’s what they do. .deploying every effort.
