The large-scale expansion of the Madrid Metro promises to change the daily routes of thousands of residents and visitors. The approved project for the northern section of Line 11 opens up new opportunities for neighborhoods that have so far remained on the periphery of the transport system. In the coming years, the capital will gain not only additional stations but also direct connections to key locations—from the airport to new residential areas.
Madrid authorities have finalized the route between Mar de Cristal and Valdebebas Norte. This segment will see six new stations, with the underground tunnel stretching 8.2 kilometers. This move will link the city’s northeast with Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport and fast-growing districts already in need of better transport options. The project budget exceeds 599 million euros, and the environmental review has been completed. Construction will begin in 2027 and will take just over three years.
New stations and transfers
The first of the new stations will be located at the intersection of Arequipa Street and its namesake square, where Line 11 will connect with the fourth and eighth metro lines. The next stop, Ifema-Cárcavas, on Francisco Umbral Street, will serve the expanding exhibition complex and the Las Cárcavas district. The third station will be on Juan Antonio Samaranch Street, near the Valdebebas transport hub, allowing passengers to easily switch between the metro, commuter trains, and buses. This location will also serve the future Ciudad de la Justicia complex and the southwestern part of Valdebebas, turning this section into a key interchange center.
The route will then run beneath Fernando Higueras street, just 150 meters from the Enfermera Isabel Zendal hospital, an especially important feature for local residents and healthcare staff. From there, the line will reach the T4 terminal of the airport, where a new underground connection is planned with Metro Line 8 and the future Adif high-speed rail station. The final stop — Valdebebas Norte, next to the upcoming Valdebebas Shopping center — will further increase the district’s appeal for investors and residents.
The tunnel and technology
Construction of the 8.2-kilometer tunnel will utilize modern tunnel boring machines. The work will be divided into two main stages: the first will begin from Fernando Higueras street to Mar de Cristal, and the second will run from avenida Secundino Zuazo to the technical connection point. In some sections, to preserve green areas and reduce noise, traditional tunneling methods will be used. The project also allows for the possibility of additional stations in the future, such as in the Cristalia area and another location in Valdebebas, to ensure maximum coverage of the new neighborhoods.
Once the entire northern section is complete, Line 11 will become one of the city’s key transportation arteries. It will link the southwest and northeast of Madrid and help reduce the burden on Line 6, which has long been operating at peak capacity. Construction of the central section between Plaza Elíptica and Conde de Casal is currently underway, while the southern extension to Cuatro Vientos is still in the planning phase. As a result, the green line will no longer be secondary but will become a vital part of the capital’s transport system.
A city on the move
The implementation of this project coincides with other major changes in Spain’s transport infrastructure. For example, in Barcelona, freight rail service began to recover after a two-week transport paralysis, as detailed in the article on the consequences of the rail crisis in Catalonia. Such events demonstrate how crucial timely decisions are for the sustainable development of cities and regions.
In recent years, Spain has been actively investing in public transport development to address population growth and new urban challenges. Madrid has already completed projects to expand metro lines and create new transfer hubs, improving connections between districts and reducing traffic congestion. Other cities across the country are also seeing a trend toward modernizing their transport systems, including the launch of new bus routes and upgrades to railway infrastructure. These measures aim to improve quality of life, cut travel times, and reduce negative environmental impacts.
