The Spanish Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has awarded a 991,911 euros contract to draft the feasibility study for the future Costa del Sol rail corridor, which will connect Nerja (Malaga) and Algeciras (Cadiz).
The aim is to analyse solutions to improve mobility and territorial cohesion, considering the extension of the current C1 commuter train line, which links Malaga with Fuengirola, both to the west, passing through Marbella and Estepona, and to the east, as far as Nerja.
The study, to be carried out by the joint venture WSP Spain-APIA and Multicriteri-Mcrit, will evaluate five sections: Malaga-Fuengirola, Fuengirola-Marbella, Marbella-Estepona, Estepona-Algeciras, and Malaga-Nerja. It will analyse the potential demand, financial and socio-economic profitability, and technical feasibility of the different alternatives.
Currently, the C1 line does not cover densely populated municipalities such as Marbella or Estepona, nor does it reach the eastern Costa del Sol, which limits mobility in the region.
Moreover, the line passes through Malaga airport, the fourth busiest airport in Spain, making reaching these municipalities easier.
