Barcelona City Council and the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM) have approved the collaboration agreement for the second phase of the unified tram network, the section of Avinguda Diagonal between Verdaguer and Francesc Macià. The agreement is the last step before the works are put out to tender, which is planned for after the summer. The 2.2 km section will complete the connection between the Trambaix and the Trambesòs and unify the city’s two tram networks.
What the agreement does
The agreement sets the institutional framework for carrying out the works and for the later operation of the section. It was approved by the City Council’s Government Commission and by the ATM’s Board of Directors. It fixes the responsibilities of each administration and sets coordination mechanisms for works of high technical complexity. The aim is to reduce disruption for residents, optimise execution times and ensure coordinated action on public space. The connection is included in the Infrastructure Master Plan (Pla Director d’Infraestructures).
Who pays for what
| Body | Works | Investment |
|---|---|---|
| City Council | Redesign of Avinguda Diagonal between Passeig de Sant Joan and Avinguda de Sarrià; enlargement of the Diagonal collector sewer between Girona and Calvet streets | €99 million excl. VAT (€120 million incl. VAT) |
| ATM (funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya) | Tram infrastructure and systems between Verdaguer and Francesc Macià; extension of the Trambaix depots; adaptation of the Trambaix fleet to catenary-free power (APS) | €97 million excl. VAT |
The APS system removes overhead wiring on this section. It is already in operation on the section between Verdaguer and Glòries.
Timeline and expected effects
The works are expected to last 40 months, followed by a period of testing and trial running before the new section enters service. With the remaining 2.2 km, forecast demand is 62 million journeys a year, double the demand before phase 1 of the connection. The city estimates that around 12,500 cars a day will be taken off the road on working days. The journey between Glòries and Francesc Macià will take about 15 minutes, with three new stops: Diagonal-Cinc d’Oros, Balmes and Casanova.