The plan to expand the metro in the city of Valencia plans to complete Line 10 towards the north of the city and develop two new lines so that the network reaches the seafront (Line 11) and the new Fe and the Malilla neighborhood ( Line 12). An ambitious approach that includes the construction of three large metropolitan interchanges at the Empalme, Valencia-Sur and San Isidro stations.

A long-term project (the expansion plan is 2023-2030) that will start with the simplest and least expensive: temporarily opening to the public the area affected by the works on Alicante Street – between the Bullring and the Station del Norte – to facilitate access for residents and visitors on the occasion of the Fallas (from March 8 to 19).

We will have to wait longer, explained the Minister of Infrastructure, Salomé Pradas, and the mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, for the pedestrian canyon that, underground, will connect the stations of Xàtiva and Alicante to become a reality.

The work on Alicante Street that both PP leaders visited yesterday will conclude before the Fallas of 2025 and will be carried out guaranteeing access to businesses and properties affected by traffic cuts and signposted alternative routes. As explained by the Department of Infrastructure, the planned investment exceeds 22 million euros and, when the works have been completed, a quick and fluid connection will be possible for passengers on Lines 3, 5 and 9 of the metro who will be able to transfer, walking, with tram Line 10.

The councilor pointed out that it has been necessary to modify the characteristics of the infrastructure that was being built on Alicante street to change the grades and expand the width between the side walls so that in a first phase the underground connection will be allowed and, in the future , in the center and north of the city.

In this sense, the next priority, noted the mayor of València, will be “the extension of line 10 towards Empalme, to serve 200,000 residents of Orriols, Torrefiel, Benicalap and Ciutat Fallera.” Catalá did not miss the opportunity to launch a jab at the previous left-wing government: “Line 10 has always been necessary to connect the center, the central market, with the northern part of the city. Limiting it was a bad solution, a mistake, and thanks to the works of recent months we have been able to redirect all FGV projects,” she said.

Catalá and Pradas were less specific with respect to the other two lines that they intend to begin to outline. The mayor of València admitted that, “in recent days, we have not only talked about line 10 but also about lines 11 and 12, which are very interesting for two areas of the city.”

The first, they explained, would run along the long avenue of the Port to unite the entire maritime façade while Line 12 would serve to reach the La Fe hospital and the Malilla neighborhood, one of the urban expansion areas of the city. Few more details were given: “We are agreeing on where these routes should go,” justified the first mayor.

Catalá wanted to relate these announcements to the 2024 European Green Capital of Valencia to highlight the need “to provide alternatives in public transport for citizens” instead of betting on “simply prohibiting and limiting private vehicles.” A clear message to those who criticize its mobility policy