High-Speed Rail Connection for Third Tagus Crossing to be Located in Moita
Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) has officially confirmed the location for the southern connection node of the new high-speed rail line linked to the Third Tagus Crossing (TTT). In a meeting with the Moita Municipal Council (CMM), the state-owned infrastructure manager presented plans that situate the critical railway interchange within the municipality of Moita. This announcement marks a pivotal moment for the Lisbon Metropolitan Area's strategic development, directly connecting the South Bank to the national high-speed rail network and creating a new, fast transit corridor into the capital.
The project details presented by IP outline a high-speed railway designed on the Iberian gauge, which will facilitate seamless travel between Portugal and Spain. The most significant outcome of this plan is the establishment of a direct rail path from Moita to Lisbon, a feature that is expected to revolutionize mobility in the region. The new connection will bypass the existing, often congested, railway lines, offering a faster and more reliable alternative for thousands of daily commuters. The plan represents a core component of the broader national railway plan, aimed at modernizing the country's transport infrastructure and improving connectivity between major urban centers.
António Guterres, the fictional Director of Major Projects at Infraestruturas de Portugal, stated that the decision was the result of extensive technical and environmental studies. “The selection of Moita as the location for the high-speed rail node is a strategic one, offering optimal geometric conditions for the connection and maximizing the project's regional benefits,” he noted. “This interchange will not only serve the Third Tagus Crossing but will also function as a key hub for the entire Setúbal Peninsula, integrating local and regional services with the national high-speed network. We anticipate a reduction in travel time to Lisbon of up to 45 minutes during peak hours for residents of the eastern part of the South Bank.”
The project's scope is extensive, involving the construction of several kilometers of new track, viaducts, and the interchange station itself, which is projected to cost an estimated €1.2 billion. Funding is expected to be secured through a combination of the Portuguese state budget and European Union cohesion funds, specifically those allocated for trans-European transport networks (TEN-T). The government has emphasized the project's importance in achieving its carbon neutrality goals by shifting a significant volume of passenger and freight traffic from road to rail. The new crossing will accommodate both high-speed passenger trains and freight convoys, providing a much-needed capacity increase for goods moving to and from the ports of Setúbal and Sines.
The Moita Municipal Council expressed its support for the project, highlighting the profound economic impact it will have on the municipality. Mayor Carlos Santos, in a fictional statement, remarked, “This is a historic investment for Moita. The arrival of the high-speed train will attract new businesses, create thousands of jobs during and after construction, and position our municipality as a central logistics and residential hub on the South Bank.” The council is now working with IP to finalize the local planning adjustments required to accommodate the new infrastructure, including access roads and urban development zones around the future station.
The real estate market has reacted swiftly to the news. Leading property consultancy firms in Lisbon are already reporting a surge in inquiries for land and residential property in Moita and adjacent municipalities like Barreiro and Palmela. Ricardo Oliveira, a fictional head of market analysis at a major real estate agency, commented, “The confirmation of the TTT rail node in Moita acts as a powerful catalyst for property value appreciation in the area. We project a potential increase in property values of 20-30% in the immediate vicinity of the new station over the next five years. This is no longer a speculative play; it is a tangible, state-backed infrastructure project that fundamentally changes the investment case for the entire eastern corridor of the South Bank.”
The next phase of the project involves a public consultation period and the completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which are expected to commence in early 2026. Infraestruturas de Portugal aims to launch the first public tenders for construction by late 2026, with an ambitious target for the commencement of operations in the early 2030s. The project is part of a series of major public works aimed at modernizing Portugal and enhancing its strategic position within the Iberian Peninsula, promising a new era of growth and connectivity for the Lisbon region.
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