Barcelona Orbital Line

The Barcelona orbital line (Catalan: línia orbital) is a railway project forming part of both the plan de infraestructuras de Cataluña (PITC), a long-term development plan due for completion in 2026, and the plan de transporte de viajeros de Cataluña (PTVC), a short-term plan due for completion in 2012. In following perimeter routes the orbital line and another railway project, the Eje Transversal Ferroviario de Cataluña, are the first railway schemes to depart from the radial system developed so far in the Barcelona area.

Also known as the cuarto cinturón ferroviario, the orbital line will connect Rodalies Barcelona services between Vilanova i la Geltrú and Mataró via a 119 kilometres (74 mi) line passing through Granollers, Sabadell, Terrassa, Martorell and Vilafranca del Penedès, but avoiding the actual city of Barcelona. Some sections will make use of existing track belonging to Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (Adif) and operated by Renfe Operadora, whilst 68 km of track - of which 46 kilometres (29 mi) in tunnels - and 23 new stations will be constructed.