The Strategic Transport Infrastructure Plan of Spain’s Ministry of Development is firmly committed to establishing a high-performance railway network that will serve to enhance the transport offer and improve customer service. This goal is highly significant on the 804-kilometer long Madrid-Barcelona-French Border Line.The project is particularly sensitive to the environment and to the surrounding area it crosses, seeking at all times to fully integrate the railway into the landscape and to show the greatest respect for natural and urban environments.A major part of the new route runs underground, beneath the current track platform, thus improving safety and the integration into the city of the existing railway corridor, and reducing the noise impact; all of this is of enormous benefit to people living in close proximity to the railway line.The construction of this High-Speed Railway Line, commissioned by the Spanish Ministry of Development to the Administrator of Railway Infrastructure (ADIF), will result in shorter journey times and a broader public transport offer. Thus accomplishing one of the railway’s social commitments to the different communities: to promote the mobility of Spain’s citizens. Production Date: December 2005. Cod:  0509 MA