The Community of Madrid will extend Metro Line 1 to Madrid Nuevo Norte with a double terminal solution, a first in the history of the underground. The chosen option maintains the connection with Pinar de Chamartín and adds Fuencarral Norte as a second origin.
The Community of Madrid has unveiled the final design for the extension of Metro Line 1 to the urban development Madrid Nuevo Norte, an initiative that will introduce a double terminal configuration for the first time in the history of the underground. This was announced by the Minister of Housing, Transport and Infrastructure, Jorge Rodrigo, after meeting with project representatives.
The selected alternative, option five out of five analysed, will allow L1 to have two starting points: Pinar de Chamartín and Fuencarral Norte, which will converge on a common route to Valdecarros. Thus, trains will depart from both stations and share the track from a point yet to be defined, a system similar to that operating in networks like London.
“We have listened to the residents during the public information period and have opted for the solution that best meets their needs,” Rodrigo stated. The decision responds to the contributions from citizens collected in the informative study, where five alternatives were considered for extending the network to Madrid Nuevo Norte.
The extension will incorporate three new stations: Centro de Negocios, Fuencarral Sur, and Fuencarral Norte. The latter will become one of the terminals, while Pinar de Chamartín will maintain its current status. The minister highlighted that this configuration will allow current frequencies to be maintained at the stations of Pinar de Chamartín and Bambú, which was a concern for regular users.
However, the new arrangement will not come into service until the urban development of Madrid Nuevo Norte is fully executed. Until then, Line 1 will continue to operate with its current route and schedules. The urban project includes the construction of 10,500 homes, of which at least 2,100 will be protected.
The minister has indicated that the number of protected housing could increase by up to 30% thanks to the recently approved Urgent Measures Law in the Madrid Assembly. “The regulation offers the possibility of increasing buildability and density in new constructions, generating more properties and, therefore, more supply for thousands of young people and families to start their life projects,” he explained.
It is estimated that the extension of L1 will improve mobility for around 175,000 citizens, including future residents of Madrid Nuevo Norte and current neighbours of the surrounding areas. The development, one of the most ambitious in the capital, will transform the environment of the old Chamartín station into a new business hub and green spaces.
The Ministry of Housing, Transport and Infrastructure will now study the technical details of the proposal, which must undergo the corresponding administrative procedures before being put out to tender. The regional government has not set a specific timeline for the start of construction, although sources from the department suggest that it could begin in the coming years, in parallel with the progress of the urban development.
For the residents of the area, the double terminal will represent a significant change in the operation of the line. Trains originating from Fuencarral Norte will allow a direct connection to the city centre without the need for transfers, while those departing from Pinar de Chamartín will maintain the current frequency. The measure aims to balance demand and avoid congestion during peak hours.
Madrid Nuevo Norte, initially known as the Chamartín Operation, is the largest urban regeneration project in Europe. In addition to housing, it will include offices, commercial spaces, and extensive green areas. The arrival of the metro is considered key to ensuring sustainable mobility in the new neighbourhood, which aims to be a benchmark for energy efficiency and quality of life.
The minister has emphasised the regional government's commitment to public transport and addressing citizens' demands. “We continue to develop a metro network adapted to the needs of current neighbourhoods and new urban developments,” he concluded.
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