Yesterday not only inaugurated a new year, but also a crucial stage for Madrid: the second half of this decade, loaded with urban transformations (like the ones we already told you about in this article) that will redefine the city’s mobility. Among them, the ambitious Metro expansion project stands out.
Almost ten years have passed since the last subway station, Paco de Lucía, was inaugurated in 2015. Since then, the Metro network has remained intact in terms of new stops, although now, after years of waiting, the city is preparing for an expansion that will bring the total number of stations to 311.
Line 11: the great axis of transformation
Of all the planned expansions, Line 11 is perhaps the most ambitious. Often referred to as “the diagonal line,” it will extend from Cuatro Vientos in the south to Valdebebas in the north, connecting key neighborhoods and areas such as Madrid Río, Comillas and the Zendal Hospital. In its route, it will add stations such as Ciudad de la Justicia, IFEMA-Cárcavas and Valdebebas Norte.
In addition, two new stations (Comillas and Madrid Río) are already in operation in the central section between Plaza Elíptica and Conde de Casal, facilitating mobility in neighborhoods such as Carabanchel and Arganzuela. This project will add 33 kilometers of track and has a budget of 517 million euros.
New connections to the airport and beyond
Another notable project is Line 5, which will be extended to terminals T1, T2 and T3 at Barajas Airport. Although no stations will be added along the route, the extension will greatly facilitate access to the airport from the center of Madrid, with works scheduled to last around three years.
Line 8 could also undergo a significant change. Currently under study, a new station is being considered between Nuevos Ministerios and Colombia that would connect the Santiago Bernabeu stadium with the airport. Although promising, this project does not yet have a start date and, if completed, would not be ready before 2030.
Branches and new developments
In the south, line 3 will see a 2.6-kilometer branch line connecting Villaverde Alto with El Casar, thus reinforcing the network’s integration with the Cercanías lines. Meanwhile, line 9 will grow in the direction of Los Ahijones and Los Berrocales, although this project will not see the light of day until 2027, with completion estimated in 2029.
In the north, the future line 13 will be the link between the new financial center of Chamartín and key urban developments such as Fuencarral Sur and Fuencarral Norte. With three stations distributed along a three-kilometer route, this new line promises to be a catalyst for growth in the area.
Although these expansions represent significant progress, challenges remain , such as the connection of the Henares Corridor, which is still not a priority in the current plans of a city that sees its population increase by more than 100,000 people year after year.