Page 127 - 360.revista de Alta Velocidad - Nº 6

South Madrid and High Speed. An example of symbiosis

Figure 60: Atocha complex plan: Three main pieces and a connecting link. Source: Adif – Juan Ayrault
Both terminals are connected by a transversal pedestrian axis that works as an urban passage.
More than 60.000 non‐passengers a day go through it. The barrier effect usually caused by railway
infrastructure is broken, as that corridor is the principal access from the western neighbourhoods
to the metro station, located in the eastern side. A ‘waiting bridge’ on the southern section of the
platforms, is prepared to connect the western side with the future arrivals terminal.
The old canopy by Alberto del Palacio houses railway operator’s facilities, as well as retail and food venues,
but most of all the iconic tropical garden that all the visitors highlight as spectacular and unique, sometimes
with the disappointment of station operator that must face the costly maintenance of the garden.

With the exception of the crisis period between 2008 and 2012, Atocha continues its steady growth,
facing day by day new challenges. The major one is the continuity of HS services. In 2017‐2018 a HS
tunnel is about to open to link northern and south‐eastern HS networks, currently isolated from each
other. It will be the third North‐South tunnel. A future HS station through is projected on its western
side, under tracks 14 and 15 and Méndez Alvaro street.

Figure 61: Future station through. Cross‐section. Source: Adif.

International Congress on High-speed Rail: Technologies and Long Term Impacts - Ciudad Real (Spain) - 25th anniversary Madrid-Sevilla corridor 125