Designs for the improvement of infrastructure and track on the Covas-Monforte de Lemos section of the León-A Coruña line

The purpose of the detailed design is to define the works needed to improve the infrastructure and track on the Covas-Montefurado subsection of line L-800 León–A Coruña. It also defines the works required to guarantee a uniform GEB16 + AF 4.0 clearance.

As a detailed design, its scope is to define the works in enough detail for them to be built. The planned works will require temporary occupations in order to be carried out.

This project covers line 800, from the exit of Covas station (kp 275+695) to the arrival at Montefurado station (kp 318+140).

The railway infrastructure is a single, non-electrified Iberian-gauge track.

Throughout the subsection the line follows the course of the river Sil, descending continuously between elevations of approximately +402 and 280.

The planned works set out a series of actions to improve safety, reliability and functional parameters on the Covas-Montefurado section (kp 275/700 to 318/140) of the León-A Coruña line.

As regards railway infrastructure, the works are essentially track renewal and therefore barely affect the platform in terms of widening cuttings or embankments to improve curves in the alignment.

In terms of railway superstructure, it is to be renewed completely both on the running line and on the main loop tracks of Sobradelo, O Barco de Valdeorras and A Rúa Petín stations.

The present superstructure (rail and sleepers) will be lifted and the existing ballast then removed with civil works machinery. Later, once the infrastructure improvements covered by this project have been made, a new ballast layer will be laid with a minimum thickness of 25 cm under the sleeper (30 cm between kp 305/240 and 310/240, where running speed may reach 120 km/h), and a new superstructure with PR-VE sleepers and 60E1 rail will be installed.

At the stations, the switches and crossings will be renewed and replaced by P1 units on the running line and C1 units on the loop tracks, placed in their current positions.