Collapse on the R2: the Rodalies closure will be extended at least until next week while they cover the hole

BarcelonaThe day after the collapse of the R2 works between Barcelona and Montcada that caused a big scare and swallowed a large crane, the Secretary of State for Transport, José Antoni Santano, admitted that it would take "days" to fill the gap with concrete, but that "if all goes well" train traffic could be restored next week. Nevertheless, the secretary asked for caution and acknowledged that a more concrete date for the restoration of service could be given from Saturday onwards.

This morning, the councilor for the Nou Barris district of Barcelona, Xavier Marcé, explained that Adif had informed the City Council that the collapse could be related to earthmoving caused by the presence of groundwater in the area. In contrast, Santano assured that it is too early to have any hypothesis. "The causes of the sinkhole are being analyzed, therefore, it would be imprudent and premature to advance any hypothesis. It is evident that the ground has not behaved as we expected, but nothing can be advanced. None of the speculations that have been made have any basis," insisted the Secretary of Transport.

Now the tasks are focused on stabilizing the hole, actions that will be carried out without removing the crane that fell inside. The Secretary of State has said that the machine will be buried because moving it "would generate new unnecessary risks". In fact, the hole is already being filled with mortar with the crane inside.

Traffic changes

Although the collapse did not cause injuries, the sinkhole has had a direct impact on traffic. Railway traffic between Montcada i Reixac and Sant Andreu has been preventively cut off and for the moment sine die between Montcada i Reixac and Sant Andreu. This affects three lines: the R2, the R2 Nord, and the R11. In fact, Renfe has prepared an alternative operation from today to adapt to the situation and guarantee mobility.

Thus, from this Thursday, the R2 Nord and the R2 offer service between Maçanet-Massanes and Montcada i Reixac. At this point, passengers can make a transfer, about five minutes on foot, to go towards the R4 in the direction of Martorell-Vilafranca-Sant Vicenç de Calders. This line, the R4, will offer service between Montcada i Reixac, Manresa, and Barcelona Sants.

On the other hand, the R2 Nord and R2 heading to the airport and Castelldefels begin their route at Sant Andreu station.

In turn, the R11 will offer the usual railway service between Cervera de la Marenda/Portbou and Granollers Centre. From here there will be an alternative road service, which will be direct between Granollers Centre and Sant Andreu Comtal, with coordinated timetables with train departures and arrivals. In addition, these passengers can also opt for the R2 Nord and R2 trains between Sant Andreu and Montcada.

Finally, travelers from Girona and Figueres will be directed to the Avant services at Barcelona Sants. Renfe has explained that it is reinforcing this service, with more seats between Figueres-Vilafant, Girona, and Barcelona Sants. More information staff will also be assigned.

Despite the alternative plans, the impact on passengers has been evident, and complaints about the incidents among users of the R2, R2 Nord, and R11 have not been long in coming. In fact, at Granollers station, travelers seemed unsurprised by the incidents. “It’s the daily bread,” complained a passenger to the ACN. “You never know with Renfe,” added another user, who estimated she would be two hours late for work.

"We don't know how big the hole is"

Yesterday at noon, when the collapse occurred, the shock was immense. One of the connection wells of the works to bury the R2 line located on the border between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac gave way on one side and caused a hole so large that it swallowed a large crane and other heavy machinery and construction materials that were in the area, in the Vallbona neighborhood (Nou Barris). Before the earthmoving, some witnesses told ARA that a loud noise was heard, which alerted the operators, who left the area. However, the incident did not cause any injuries.

Yesterday afternoon, the deputy director of Adif's construction projects in charge of the works, Arturo Pastor, explained that after securing the perimeter, the tasks were already focused yesterday afternoon on refilling the concrete cavity to stabilize it. Pastor assured that technicians had not yet approached to measure the sinkhole. "We don't know the size of the hole," admitted Pastor, who also assured that the closest homes to the area, in the Vallbona neighborhood (Nou Barris), had not suffered cracks as a consequence of the hole.

The Barcelona Firefighters, who arrived at the hole when alerted and studied the safety of the area, recommended daily sensor monitoring for the next few days, and Adif confirmed that reports will be submitted every 24 hours to assess any anomalies or ground movement.