Portugal High-speed rail in Europe

high-speed connections between spain , portugal have been agreed upon , planned, initial works had yet begin when projects cancelled in 2012. portuguese government had approved construction of 6 high-speed lines capital lisbon porto, porto vigo, aveiro salamanca, lisbon faro, faro seville , lisbon madrid, spain, bringing 2 countries capital cities within 3 hours of each other. since late 1990s, italian tilting train, pendolino, runs alfa pendular service, connecting portugal s mainland north border algarve, southern counterpart, @ speed of 220 km/h (140 mph). on 8 may 2010, portuguese transport minister signed off 40-year ppp covering construction of lisbon–madrid high-speed line. total cost has been put @ €1.359bn double-track standard gauge line lisbon spanish border. included broad gauge line portuguese port of sines spanish border. line expected open end of 2013 , reduce journey time between lisbon , madrid 2 hours 45 minutes, project cancelled in march 2012.