Montcada i Reixac Rail Collapse Halts R2, R2 Nord and R11 Services

A sinkhole that opened in the underground works at Montcada i Reixac on 22 July swallowed a large crane but caused no injuries. The collapse forced the permanent suspension of Rodalies lines R2, R2 Nord and R11 between Montcada and Sant Andreu, disrupting thousands of daily commuters. Adif technicians have been stabilising the ground by injecting concrete and monitoring the site, saying there is no immediate risk to nearby buildings. The Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni confirmed no structural damage to homes, while Adif’s construction sub‑director Arturo Pastor told residents that the situation is being treated as a "serious emergency" and that the area will be checked every 24 hours. Residents of the Vallbona neighbourhood held a meeting with officials, demanding guarantees that a similar incident will not recur. Authorities have set up alternative bus services and pedestrian transfers to the R4 line, but queues are long and travel times have increased. The cause is linked to unstable limestone substrata and the failure of concrete pilings that were meant to support the excavation. Service restoration is expected to take several days to a week, depending on further stability assessments.