Intended to improve the connection between the French and Spanish rail networks, the 44.4 km long line will cross the border through an 8.3 km tunnel bored under the col du Perthus. This section will be joined to two future high-speed lines: Barcelona-Figueres and Montpellier-Perpignan (this latter section currently still in early planning stages). The line will be open to both high-speed trains and freight, the maximum grade being limited to 1.2%.
The contract to build the line was awarded on 17 February 2004 to the TP Ferro consortium, a combination of Eiffage (France) and Actividades de construcción y servicios/Dragados (Spain). The group will construct the line for an estimated cost of approximately €1.1 billion, and operate the line for 50 years. It will receive a public subsidy of €540 million split between the European Union, France and Spain.
The beginning of service on this line should greatly improve passenger journey times: Paris-Barcelona in 5:35 and Perpignan-Madrid in 3:50.
