Plans for the Penedès Intermodal Centre made public

L'Arboç (ACN).- The Penedès Intermodal Centre (CIP) is now up for public scrutiny until the 4th of October. From this day on, stakeholders may call for amendments for a one-month period.  After this period, the plan is expected to be approved at the end of the year or in early 2011. The project has created a lot of controversy since it started in 1999, especially in the affected towns of L’Arboç, Banyeres del Penedès and Sant Jaume dels Domenys. However businesses in the area applaud the decision and stress the vital importance of the CIP in coming out of the economic crisis.

The Catalan Government’s intermodal platform is sponsored by the public infrastructure company Cimalsa. CIP is expected to generate between 3,500 to 10,000 jobs with an economic impact of almost 290 million euros- more than 15% of the Gross Added Value of the Baix Penedès county, located in the South-West of Barcelona and famous for its wine. The intermodal centre is also predicted to receive public and private investments adding up to around 436 million euros.

The Business Union of Penedès (UEP) along with the Business Federation of the Tarragona Province (CEPTA) made a series of negotiations, many with Cimalsa. The negotiations include various commitments that “we expect to fulfil’, said the president of the UEP, Albert Calzada. A new link to the AP-7 highway, a freight railway line and an intermodal station next to the highway in the town of L’Arboç were some of the commitments discussed.

While businesses of the area are very satisfied with the project, many see the future connection with the Mediterranean Corridor as an “absolute priority”.

The 177 hectares of land will be distributed in 84 hectares for logistics, 56 for containers, 16 for clean industry, 6 for tertiary activities, 54 for streets and avenues, 4 for equipment and 13 for railway uses. The CIP is predicted to be running in some 4 to 5 years. Chinese and Vietnamese companies have shown interest in the CIP, but 80% of the land is scheduled to go to Catalan businesses.