Overview
- The minister said 85% of the rail platform is complete, the Guipuzcoan branch assembly is advancing, and catenary electrification will begin soon.
- He added that designs for the Burgos–Vitoria section are finished and €400 million of works in Pancorbo are underway to advance the connection.
- He placed final execution in the Basque Government’s hands, citing the Arkaute junction as the key node to bring high speed to Bilbao and San Sebastián.
- Pressed in Parliament, he declined to give a target date after having said in February the service would open before 2030.
- The EU now prioritizes the Lisbon–Madrid–Paris axis to be operational by 2035, while France plans to start the Dax–Hendaia stretch in 2042, prompting PNV calls for a verifiable timetable, firm funding and coordination with Paris and Brussels.