France and Spain, which have so far been somewhat peripheral in adopting policies and strategies implemented by other administrations or railway companies, aim to revitalise the rolling highway system as an alternative to exclusive road transport. The proposed connections will primarily link ports to key border transit routes.
Spain is particularly dynamic in advancing combined road-rail transport initiatives. Following the introduction of an intermodal service between Madrid and Valencia, and studies for a similar link between Algeciras and Zaragoza, a new connection between Madrid and Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Basque Country is under consideration. Although the project’s development appears to be complex, it is expected to be completed by 2026.
The proposed rolling highway service between Madrid and the Basque capital, passing through Valladolid and Burgos, has garnered significant support from both industry stakeholders and Spanish national authorities. This future Madrid-Vitoria route would be integrated with the existing Madrid-Valencia link, creating a direct corridor for maritime transport from Valencia's port. This would facilitate both imports, particularly components from Greece and Turkey, and exports to the broader Mediterranean region and beyond.
The Valladolid industrial area is expected to benefit significantly, with a substantial reduction in road transport to the Port of Valencia. A new freight rail terminal, under construction in Valladolid, is scheduled to become operational by 2026. In the interim, an extension of the rolling highway service between Madrid and Valladolid may serve as an initial phase, ahead of its eventual expansion to the Basque Country, connecting with the Port of Bilbao and San Sebastián, a key railway hub towards France.
France, too, is focusing on rail connections to support port operations. Plans are underway for an intermodal service between Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, a northern maritime hub in the Manche department, and Bayonne, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, less than 30 kilometres from the Spanish Basque border. The Cherbourg-Bayonne route spans approximately 900 kilometres, traversing France's western corridor from north to south.
On 10 December 2024, a test train travelled a short distance between the Port of Cherbourg and its railway terminal to assess the readiness of the existing infrastructure and signalling systems for the new service, slated to launch in spring 2025. The train, carrying 42 road semi-trailers and measuring 750 metres in length, was tested to ensure compliance with European railway standards.
The future service will be managed by Ports de Normandie, French company Lohr (using its Modalohr system), and SNCF Réseau, the French rail network operator. The Port of Cherbourg and the port authority are investing over €36 million in a new rail terminal, with half of the funding sourced from EU grants, alongside upgrades to the rail link. For Cherbourg, this marks a significant shift, as the port has relied predominantly on road freight for nearly two decades.
Piermario Curti Sacchi
