A movement of earth due to the presence of water: possible origin of the R2 sinkhole
The hole has forced the adaptation of train service because there are three lines cut 'sine die'
BarcelonaHalf a day after the collapse of the R2 works between Barcelona and Montcada, which caused a great scare and swallowed a large crane, the first hypotheses about the incident are beginning to emerge. According to the councilor for the Nou Barris district of Barcelona, Xavier Marcé, Adif has informed the City Council that the collapse could be related to earth movement caused by the presence of groundwater in the area. "The pillars of the retaining wall would not have held up," the councilor pointed out in an interview with Catalunya Ràdio. Nevertheless, he argued that it will be Adif who will have to explain in detail the causes of the sinkhole.
Marcé wanted to send a message of "maximum calm" to the residents and assured that the priority is to carry out daily monitoring of the area's evolution to ensure that "there is no potential impact" on nearby homes. "What worries us most is having the certainty that this cannot get worse," he remarked.
Traffic changes
Although it did not cause injuries, the sinkhole has had a direct impact on traffic. It has preventively cut and sine die the rail traffic between Montcada i Reixac and Sant Andreu, which has affected lines R2, R2 Nord and R11. In fact, Renfe has prepared an alternative operation to adapt to the situation and guarantee mobility.
Thus, from this Thursday, the R2 Nord and the R2 will 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.
In contrast, the R2 North and R2 line to the airport and Castelldefels begin their route at Sant Andreu station.
In turn, the R11 will offer the usual train service between Cervera de la Marenda/Portbou and Granollers Centre. From here there will be an alternative bus service, which will be direct between Granollers Centre and Sant Andreu Comtal, with coordinated timetables with train departures and arrivals. In addition, these passengers will also be able to opt for the R2 Nord and R2 trains between Sant Andreu and Montcada.
Finally, travelers from Girona and Figueres will head to the Avant services at Barcelona Sants. Renfe has explained that it is strengthening this service, with more seats between Figueres-Vilafant, Girona, and Barcelona Sants. More information staff will also be deployed.
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 lines have not been long in coming. In fact, at the Granollers station, travelers were not very surprised by the incidents. “It’s the daily bread,” complained a passenger to ACN. “You never know with Renfe,” added another user, who expected to arrive two hours late for work.
"We don't know the size of the hole"
Yesterday at noon the scare was huge. One of the connection shafts for the R2 tunnel works located on the border between Barcelona and Montcada i Reixac gave way on one side, causing a sinkhole so large that it swallowed a large crane, other heavy machinery, and construction material that was 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 department in charge of the works, Arturo Pastor, explained that after securing the perimeter, the tasks focused on refilling the cavity of the hole with concrete 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 conducting auscultations with sensors in the coming days, and Adif confirmed that reports would be submitted every 24 hours to evaluate if there were any anomalies or any other earth movement.
