The exact boundary where Montcada i Reixac ends and gives way to the Barcelona neighborhood of Vallbona is usually marked by the constant rhythm of passing trains and, more recently, by the noise of major construction projects. However, yesterday the earth forced an abrupt pause: part of the wall of a shaft belonging to the underground rail project being carried out by Adif suddenly gave way. The collapse opened a massive sinkhole that ended up completely engulfing a large crane.
Although the scene was reminiscent of the recent collapse caused by the L9 tunnel boring machine just fifteen days ago—making this the second railway collapse in Barcelona in two weeks—the accident fortunately resulted in no injuries. It also did not initially affect nearby buildings, but the logistical consequences were immediate. The incident required the deployment of fire department and city police units, in addition to causing a complete suspension—with no estimated time for resumption—of service on the R2, R2 Nord, and R11 lines.
Disrupted Routes and Changes to the Rail Map
The collapse of the machinery has paralyzed one of the key transportation hubs connecting Barcelona and the Vallès Oriental. Since 2:00 p.m., train service has been completely suspended between the Montcada i Reixac and Sant Andreu stations, creating a complex situation for daily commuters.
For the time being, trains are forced to operate on a split schedule. The R11 line is operating only on the section between Portbou and Granollers Centre. Meanwhile, trains on the R2 and R2 Nord lines departing from Castelldefels and the Airport terminate their routes at Sant Andreu, resuming their usual route only on the section from Montcada i Reixac to Granollers.
The R2 Scavenger Hunt: Walking to Connect
For regular riders of the R2 and R2 Nord lines, the usual route has been split in two. To the north, trains run between Montcada i Reixac and Maçanet-Massanes; to the south, they run from Sant Andreu toward the Airport and Castelldefels.
The workaround for this gap requires passengers to exit onto the street. Rodalies has announced that the connection to Barcelona requires a five-minute walk (a distance of about 300 meters) to reach the Montcada i Reixac-Manresa station. Once there, passengers can connect to the R4 line by taking trains heading toward Martorell, Vilafranca del Penedès, and Sant Vicenç de Calders.
Buses in Granollers and Rapid Reinforcements
The R11 line has also had to adapt its daily operations. It currently only provides service on its northern section, operating between Granollers Centre and the stations at Portbou and Cervera de la Marenda. To travel along the southern section, passengers must rely entirely on trains on the R2 and R2 Nord lines.
To bridge the gap between Granollers Centre and Sant Andreu, an alternative road service has been set up. These buses pick up and drop off passengers in Barcelona at Plaça Ramon Riera. As an added relief, Renfe has increased the number of seats available on its Avant services connecting Figueres-Vilafant, Girona, and Barcelona-Sants.
Renfe maintains that, although this forced rerouting is complex, passenger traffic is being handled well thanks to the buses and the increased service on the R4 line. However, sources within the operator admit that there are additional delays on the R2 line due to a very human reason: a shortage of train operators in the right locations. With Montcada i Reixac having become a makeshift terminal, they explain that the logistics of getting drivers to that exact location were not anticipated and are proving particularly difficult.
