Service Cut for Track Renovation

Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) has suspended train services between Gràcia and Sarrià stations from Tuesday, 11 August, until Saturday, 23 August. The 13-day closure is due to essential track renovation work on the Barcelona-Vallès line. The work focuses on replacing the ballasted track with a concrete slab track on track 1 between Gràcia and Muntaner stations. Crossovers on the Muntaner–La Bonanova section will also be renewed using slab track technology.

Improved Resilience and Reduced Maintenance

This intervention forms part of FGC’s wider project to renew the track between Plaça Catalunya and Sarrià. The first phase, completed on the sections serving Sarrià, Les Tres Torres, La Bonanova, and Muntaner, used night-time work to avoid full closures. This latest stage requires a full shutdown to ensure safety and efficiency. According to FGC, the new slab track will improve service resilience and reduce long-term maintenance costs by enhancing track stability and drainage.

Alternative Transport Arrangements

During the closure, an alternative bus service will connect Gràcia, Sant Gervasi, Muntaner, La Bonanova, Les Tres Torres, and Sarrià stations in both directions. Buses will run along Via Augusta, likely increasing journey times compared to rail travel. Train services will continue to operate:

  • Between Sarrià and Terrassa/Sabadell, with normal August schedules
  • Between Gràcia and Plaça Catalunya, with a reduced frequency of up to 18 trains per hour per direction (approximately every 3.5 minutes during peak hours)

Lines S1, S2, L7, and L12 will maintain regular operations on unaffected segments.

The works have been scheduled for August to minimise impact on users.

Passengers are being informed through signage and announcements at stations. Further details are available via El Periódico Barcelona's coverage and official FGC communications.

Additional Disruptions on Via Augusta

From 4 to 30 August, road traffic on Via Augusta will face restrictions due to associated works. These include partial closures, lane narrowing between Carrer Madrazo and Carrer Ganduxer, and temporary diversions to the cycle lane in affected areas. Separately, FGC began annual maintenance on the Vallvidrera Funicular on Monday, 10 August, which will last until 28 August. A replacement road service is operating for that route.

Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat, govern.cat, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Ramon. Reported by elperiodico.com, David Guerrero, Judit Bertran, ground.news, metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, europapress.es, V�a Libre, ACN, betevé, El Periódico Barcelona.