The biggest Rodalies shutdown begins: 16 months of works, 50 km of track and 21,000 passengers affected

The long-awaited doubling of the track between Parets and La Garriga, a local demand for more than two decades, requires rail services to be interrupted for 16 months, in what is already considered the largest closure in the system’s history.

The work, funded by ADIF with an investment of 210 million euros, seeks to modernise a line that suffers constant delays because of its single track. The works will be divided into two phases: the first, from 27 September 2025 to May 2026, will affect the section between Montcada Bifurcació and La Garriga; the second, until January 2027, will reduce the closure to the Mollet Santa Rosa–La Garriga section.

To mitigate the impact on the 21,000 daily passengers, Renfe has launched an unprecedented alternative road transport plan: 107 buses will make 639 daily journeys departing from and arriving at Fabra i Puig, connecting the affected towns with Barcelona.

During the stoppage, accessibility and modernisation works will also be carried out at stations such as Montcada Bifurcació, Santa Perpètua and La Garriga, alongside new electrical installations and structural improvements.

The challenge is monumental, but so is the reward: an R3 that is more reliable, accessible and prepared for the future of metropolitan mobility.