The Portuguese government has granted final approval to infrastructure manager IP for a project worth €4.9 million to rehabilitate the 30 km Oliveira de Azeméis – Sernada do Vouga section of the Vouga line. The Oliveira de Azeméis – Sernada do Vouga section was closed to regular transport in 2013 due to the poor condition of the infrastructure, although some trains have since used this section to access the workshop of the Portuguese state railway CP in Sernada do Vouga. The modernisation work includes the renovation of the stations, the renewal of the tracks, including the replacement of wooden sleepers and the installation of modern signalling technology to secure level crossings. The approval of the latest work package is part of a multi-year modernisation programme. In its current budget period, IP has allocated €34 million for the modernisation of the line. The government's PNI 2030 national investment plan foresees total expenditure of €100 million, but only €8.1 million has been spent on modernisation work to date. A 500 m extension of the line from Espinho-Vouga to Espinho Central Station is also being considered.
