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DRAGADOS has played a major role in the development of the high speed rail (HSR) network in Spain which, with more than 1,900 miles of network, is the second largest in the world. We have constructed more than 620 miles of substructure and 1,550 miles of track for the Spanish HSR network – in addition, we have completed 100 miles of HSR tunnels and numerous HSR stations.

Our involvement in HSR began in 1988. Since then, we have completed 41 major HSR projects and in the last 10 years we have designed and constructed 12 major projects in Spain and France. Our experience in the development and execution of significant HSR and major infrastructure projects has given us a thorough understanding of the preparation, planning, specification and contract requirements that make these huge projects a success.

World map showing the countries where high speed projects have been realised (North America, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Great Britain, South Africa, Morocco, Portugal and Spain among others).

In the last 10 years, our major HSR projects have included main stations as the Atocha station in Madrid and the Sagrera and Sants stations in Barcelona.

Among the different lines of the Spanish High Speed network implemented by DRAGADOS, including tunneling, viaducts, tracks and electrification, there are a couple that stand out:

  • High Speed Train, Madrid- Barcelona-French Border Line. 350 miles
  • High Speed Train, Madrid-Sevilla Line. 170 miles
  • High Speed Train, Madrid-Valladolid Line. 125 miles
  • High Speed Train, Madrid-Valencia Line. 450 miles

Among the international HS projects carried out by DRAGADOS, we should mention the Figueras-Perpignan line that connects the Spanish High-Speed network with the French one. It includes a 5-mile tunnel, El Pertús, that crosses the Pyrenees under the Spanish-French border.

The first High Speed Rail of the United States, the California HSR System, from Los Angeles to San Francisco, is currently being implemented. DRAGADOD has been awarded the 66 mile long segment from Fresno to Bakersfield.

Examine the projects executed

More important projects by specialty

Aerial view of a section of the Spanish French Border high-speed rail line
Spanish French Border - Figueras, Spain – Perpignan, France
The scope of this PPP contract includes the Design, Build, Finance, Maintenance and Operation of the High Speed Rail (HSR) Infrastructure link between Figueras (Spain) and Perpignan (France). Dragados was the lead partner of the design-build joint
Illuminated plan of the interior of the Guadarrama Tunnel
Guadarrama Tunnels -Madrid, Spain
The 28.7 km long, twin-bore Guadarrama tunnel is the longest railway tunnel in Spain and the fifth in the world. These tunnels are the first and only high speed tunnels of that length excavated without intermediate access shafts. The tunnels were
Interior view of the Atocha station of Madrid
High Speed Atocha Station - Madrid, Spain
Puerta de Atocha station is the largest station in Madrid. It is the primary interchange serving commuter trains, intercity and regional trains as well as AVE high speed trains from Barcelona, Seville and Valencia. The station had a capacity of 16
Interior view of the Sants station of Barcelona
High Speed Barcelona Sants Station - Barcelona, Spain
The addition of Barcelona to Spain’s high-speed railroad network placed significant demands on the city’s already overburdened and busiest station, thus requiring a major refurbishment to serve 1,000 trains per day and 45 million passe.