Linha de Leixões, also known as Linha de Cintura do Porto, is a railway line in Portugal which connects the railway stations of Contumil in Porto on the Linha do Minho and Leixões, in Matosinhos, servicing the Port of Leixões. It is single track in Iberian gauge stretching over 18.9 km, equipped with EBICAB 700 control systems and RSC communications.[1] The line was opened in 1938, and electrified in 1998.[2][3] Passenger services ran until 1987 and from 2009 to 2011, otherwise the railway has remained open for cargo, transporting cargo in and out of the Port of Leixões.
In 2024, a 32 million Euro investment was carried out to improve conditions on the line for freight trains and to reestablish passenger services in part of the line. The investment includes the removal of four level crossings, the replacement and upgrade of a railway bridge over the river Leça and the improvement of the tracks in Leixões so it allows for trains up to 750 meters in length. The passenger railway stations are being refurbished, with two new stops at Hospital São João and Arroteia.[4][5]
By the end of 2024, passenger services are expected to restart between the railway stations of Contumil and Leça do Balio, with stops in São Gemil, Hospital São João, São Mamede de Infesta and Arroteia. It is expected that the line will be serviced by up to two trains per hour, with Campanhã or Ovar as their destination. These will improve connectivity to one of Porto's largest hospitals, some faculties of the University of Porto and several established businesses, who lobbied for the return of services.[4][5]
As of 2024, a study was underway for an expansion of passenger services in the rest of the line, up until Leixões. This would allow for a connection with the terminus of line A of the Porto Metro in Senhor de Matosinhos.[4][5]
Martins, João; Brion, Madalena; Sousa, Miguel (1996). O Caminho de Ferro Revisitado (in Portuguese). Lisbon: Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses.
Reis, Francisco; Gomes, Rosa; Gomes, Gilberto (2006). Os Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses 1856-2006 (in Portuguese). Lisbon: CP - Comboios de Portugal e Público-Comunicação Social S. A. ISBN989-619-078-X.
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