Portuguese infrastructure manager IP has issued a cost-benefit and an interoperability study to determine the appropriate track gauge for the planned Porto – Lisbon high-speed rail (HSR) line. The studies are intended to support the argumentation for an application to the European Commission to build the line in Iberian broad gauge instead of European standard gauge. EU member states can apply for a temporary exemption for non-standard gauge for new lines in the TEN-T core network. To do so, a socio-economic study and an assessment of the impact on Europe-wide interoperability must be submitted. So far, the HSR line has been planned in broad gauge to ensure compatibility with the existing north-south main line. The studies, estimated at €89,000, are to be completed by 16th July 2026. The first section, Porto – Soure, is expected to be completed by 2030. In the long term, a connection to the planned HSR line between Porto and Vigo in Spain is planned.
