The Sol suburban train tunnel will remain inactive for several days until the end of December. Due to the works to extend the Atocha Cercanías station, the C-3 and C-4 commuter lines will see their route modified in the next six weeks, so that trains will not pass through Sol.
In a statement to the media, Renfe has explained that these improvement works are expected to facilitate the management of incidents, improve safety and reduce traffic on the affected lines. During the days of the works, the passage between Nuevos Ministerios and Atocha will be cut, so alternative routes will have to be used.
When the cuts will take place
On November 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 and December 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 20 and 21, Sol commuter train station will be closed from its opening at 5 a.m. until 10 a.m., which will affect Renfe commuter lines C-3 and C-4.
During this period, trains from Aranjuez and Parla will start and end their journey at Atocha Cercanías station. Trains originating in Alcobendas-San Sebastián de los Reyes and Colmenar Viejo will only go as far as Nuevos Ministerios.
Alternatives and development of the works
To cover the section between Atocha and Nuevos Ministerios, transfers can be made using commuter lines C-2, C-7, C-8 and C-10. They are the ones that cross the Recoletos tunnel and allow connecting both points.
Interventions in Sol will involve the use of drills, cuts in walls, beam crossings and placement of extensions, reforms that are not compatible with the usual flow of rail traffic.
However, the Sol accesses will remain open for the metro, which will maintain its normal service on lines 1, 2, 3 and 5 (which joins through Gran Vía), so they will be another mobility option.
Part of the urban transformation
This project is part of the EU’s Next Generation EU Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, which seeks to create jobs, renew the economy and make it greener. In this case, it will modernize the city’s railway infrastructure.
But the interventions in Madrid go beyond the Sol tunnel. In recent months, the cutting of Metro Line 6 has been one of the most talked-about, forcing many users to modify their routes, as will those who frequent the C-3 and C-4 commuter trains on the days marked.
In both cases, the works will transform traffic flow in the capital and are expected to bring about a significant improvement in public transport services.