The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a €550m ($591.88m) loan to Spanish state-owned railway infrastructure manager Adif for the expansion of the Puerta de Atocha Almudena Grandes station in Madrid.

The loan will help in the construction of two new platforms, 16 and 17; a new through station; rehabilitation of the old trainshed; and the development of Plaza del Embarcadero, which is currently in progress.

Additionally, the funding will be used for the connection between the Madrid-Levante and Madrid-Barcelona high-speed lines near the Atocha station. Currently, this work is in progress.

The latest loan forms a part of an overarching €740m framework loan that was authorised by the EIB in 2021.

This framework loan is intended to support Adif in undertaking the Madrid rail hub transformation project, which includes the Atocha station and Chamartín Clara Campoamor station, to ensure these can function as two terminals inside the same transport hub.

The Spanish high-speed rail network, which includes the Trans-European Transport Network's Atlantic and Mediterranean corridors, will eventually be linked via Madrid’s two primary stations.

Expansion of the infrastructure at the Madrid rail hub is expected to address rising congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Upon completion of the project, both Atocha and Chamartín stations are anticipated to have the capacity to accommodate new high-speed lines.