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Passengers travelling through Murcia can expect a major change to their journeys this year, as the new El Carmen station is on track to open before the end of 2026.

 

The announcement came from Transport Minister Óscar Puente during the opening of the Northwest Ring Road in Murcia, an infrastructure project worth 264 million euros that has now fully connected the city’s outer ring road. “Today, Murcia has a new, complete ring road in service; it has high speed rail, and we are continuing work on the Murcia El Carmen station with a €600 million investment to complete it this year,” he said.

 

 

The Government is clear that El Carmen is not just another train station but a large, modern transport complex designed to tie together Murcia’s historic station, the new bus terminal and the high speed AVE line. Rail tracks are already in place, a step the Ministry says is vital for the wider Mediterranean Corridor and the planned link through to Almería to move forward more quickly.

 

Interior work at the station has been awarded for 16.4 million euros to the joint venture of Ferrovial and Acciona. That has allowed progress on the platforms, all non railway facilities, and the temporary landscaping of the surrounding area, while the final surface and layout are still being agreed.

 

The project also includes a 40,000 square metre Central Plaza that will act as the main entrance under an elliptical pergola designed by the Xpiral studio. The plaza will feature 9,000 square metres of local vegetation and wetlands plus spaces for children’s play, a meeting point and room for events like concerts or small exhibitions.

 

To keep passenger flow smooth, the complex will include a “kiss & train” rapid transit zone next to the AVE platforms and the renovated existing railway museum. The Minister of Transport has already visited the site, stating last August that the work was around 95% complete and in its final stretch.

 

With the opening expected before the end of 2026, the new El Carmen station is aimed at meeting the region’s growing transport needs and improving the logistics position of the entire Region of Murcia, especially as the Mediterranean Corridor continues to develop towards Almería.

 

 

 

Image: wikicommons