Infrastructure

Puentedey tunnel

The Santander-Mediterranean Sea line, designed to link the ports of Santander and Valencia, was in operation for more than fifty years from Cidad-Dosante in Burgos to Calatayud, where it connected with the Ferrocarril Central de Aragón (Aragon Central Railway).

The project originated at the end of the 19th century, but did not come to fruition until 1920, when the State Government took up a previous study. The line was opened to the public between 1927 and 1930, although the connection with Santander never took place, despite the construction of the La Engaña tunnel that crossed the Cantabrian mountain range. In addition, the line underwent shut downs and abandonment, and finally closed in 1985.

Fifteen tunnels were built along the line, without taking into account the underground section at the entrance to Soria on the Calatayud side.

On the section between Brizuela and Santelices is the 84-metre-long Puentedey tunnel, located at kilometre point 356+804. This construction, like the rest of the crossing works, was prepared for double track with large gauge galleries. In those tunnels with a curved route, it was wider. The vertical gables are covered with stone up to the start of the vault, which is made of concrete.

As its name suggests, this bridge was located in the territory of Puentedey, a charming Spanish village located in the province of Burgos, in the autonomous community of Castile-León and recognised as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain. It is located in the middle course of the river Nela, where the riverbed opens up from the narrower sections and begins to flow more gently.

Otros puntos de interés

• Bilbao - La Robla mining railway
• Old Dosante - Cidad station
• Cidad Tunnel
• Viaduct over the river Nela
• Viaduct over the river Nela
• Viaduct over the river Nela
• Viaduct over the river Nela
• Old Brizuela station
• Viaduct over the river Nela
• Old Escaño halt
• Viaduct over the river Nela
• Viaduct over the river Nela
• Viaduct over the river Nela
• Old Horna-Villarcayo Station
• Viaduct over the river Nela
• Old Medina de Pomar station