Drilling Set to Begin This Month
The tunnel boring machine for the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) L8 line will start excavation work in October, according to the Ministry of Territory, Housing, and Ecological Transition. The announcement follows months of preparation at the Gran Via attack shaft site in Barcelona. On Monday, Minister Sílvia Paneque visited the worksite alongside Deputy Mayor Laia Bonet of Barcelona City Council, where they received updates on progress and upcoming phases.
Initial Phase to Vilamarí Street
Until November, the machine will drill a 60-metre section towards Vilamarí street. After this initial stretch, operations will pause to allow completion of underground infrastructure works on Llança street.
The full tunnel excavation to Gràcia is expected to take around 13 months, depending on ground conditions.
Work on the main tunnel to Gràcia is scheduled to resume in early 2027. Given an estimated duration of 13 months for the full excavation, subject to geological challenges, the tunnel could be completed by March 2028.
Enhanced Monitoring After Neighbourhood Concerns
Following resident concerns after a sinkhole occurred during L9 works in Putxet, additional monitoring and surveillance systems have been implemented at the Gran Via site since July. These measures aim to ensure structural safety and public confidence throughout the project. The extension of the L8 line from Plaça d’Espanya to Gràcia forms part of the broader Metropolitan Transport Plan 2021–2030 (PDI), under action AX09. According to cost-benefit analysis by the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM), the project has a net present value of €223 million and an internal rate of return of 10.7%. Total investment includes €90 million for urban integration, €112 million for acquiring 14 new train units, and €15.3 million for project management and general expenses, amounting to €217.3 million in initial costs.
Reported by beteve.cat, transparencia.fgc.cat, betevé.
