The Plaça de Sants metro interchange will begin a key phase of its transformation on April 27. The Department of Territory, Housing, and Ecological Transition of the Government of Catalonia will close the passageway connecting Lines L1 and L5 to carry out its technical expansion. This restriction will remain in effect until spring 2027 with the aim of adapting the infrastructure for people with reduced mobility.
The work at the Line 5 station involves an investment of 15.2 million euros. The work, which began last February, has a total completion period of 30 months. During the period when the passageway remains closed, passengers will make their journeys via alternative outdoor routes or through other points in the network. This measure will affect the nearly 12,000 daily transfers recorded at this connection point.
Structural Renovations
The technical project will include the creation of a new concourse by expanding the current one and adding three new elevators: one will connect to the street, and the other two will facilitate access to the platforms and the L1 passageway. Additionally, the platforms will be raised to eliminate the height difference relative to the trains, and tactile paving will be installed for passengers with visual impairments.
The project will also include the construction of two additional emergency exits and the expansion of the main access to the plaza. At the same time, the Catalan Government will draft the urban development plan for the area in coordination with the Barcelona City Council to integrate the station’s new elements into the plaza’s design.
Goal: full accessibility
This project is a key component in completing the adaptation of a transit hub that serves 55,000 passengers daily. Currently, 96.3% of the Barcelona metro network is already accessible, with 157 adapted stations.
The Catalan government will soon draft the remaining projects for the Verdaguer and Urquinaona stations, as well as the L1 station at Plaça de Sants. The total investment to achieve full accessibility across the entire rail infrastructure will amount to 109 million euros.
Alternative Routes and Mobility
Due to the interruption of internal transit, passengers will need to make connections via routes outside the station or through other stops in the metro network. The closure of the passageway is an essential measure to widen the space and adapt it for people with reduced mobility.
