fr-es_HSL_9a.jpg (57572 bytes)

South end of the French-Spanish village of Le Perthus-El Portús (Els Límits). This is actually the Spanish sector (Els Límits), seen from Radial Highway N-II (El Portús-Madrid). The Perpignan-Figueres HSL will run through the Alberes Tunnel (8171m) at this stage, some 100m underneath, yet not so far away from the Southern Portal... El Portús (Els Límits) (Ajuntament de La Jonquera). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_a10a.jpg (47405 bytes)

Entrance to the worksite for the Spanish portal of the Alberes cross-border Tunnel, on the Perpignan-Figueres HSL. This pic is looking towards France and the Fort de Bellegarde. La Jonquera (La Jonquère). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_a11a.jpg (55098 bytes)

Worksite for the Spanish portal of the Alberes cross-border Tunnel, on the Perpignan-Figueres HSL. Site-clearance is seemingly at a more advanced stage than on the French side. Fort de Bellegarde was built under plans made by Vauban, in the aftermath of the Pyrenees Treaty 1657 (which has set down the current border stretching from Cerbère/Portbou until Hendaye/Irun), so that France could keep an eye on Spain. From 2009 onwards, it will most probably be very popular among trainspotters... La Jonquera (La Jonquère). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_a12a.jpg (54461 bytes)

Worksite for the Spanish portal of the Alberes cross-border Tunnel, on the Perpignan-Figueres HSL. The portal is located pretty close to the Fort de Bellegarde, so much so that hardly 10% of this tunnel will be located in Spain (800m out of 8,171). La Jonquera (La Jonquère). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_a13a.jpg (71653 bytes)

Worksite for the Spanish portal of the Alberes cross-border Tunnel, on the Perpignan-Figueres HSL. La Jonquera (La Jonquère). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_a14a.jpg (63291 bytes)

Worksite for the Spanish portal of the Alberes cross-border Tunnel, on the Perpignan-Figueres HSL. Trackbed is already taking shape, although tunnelling has not yet begun. La Jonquera (La Jonquère). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_a15a.jpg (65076 bytes)

Worksite for the Spanish portal of the Alberes cross-border Tunnel, on the Perpignan-Figueres HSL. Trackbed is already taking shape, although tunnelling has not yet begun. La Jonquera (La Jonquère). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_a16a.jpg (60971 bytes)

Worksite for the Spanish portal of the Alberes cross-border Tunnel, on the Perpignan-Figueres HSL. Trackbed is already taking shape, although tunnelling has not yet begun. La Jonquera (La Jonquère). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_a17a.jpg (48744 bytes)

Area of La Jonquera, seen from the Fort de Bellegarde (France). One can easily spot the place where the cross-border Alberes Tunnel will begin/terminate. Needless to say, that this observation point is likely to become pretty popular among trainspotters from 2009 onwards... From this fortress, one can also see the flatlands of the Empordà pretty well, along with Figueres... Fort de Bellegarde (Le Perthus-Els Límits). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_a18a.jpg (51109 bytes)

Area of La Jonquera, seen from the Fort de Bellegarde (France). One can easily spot the place where the cross-border Alberes Tunnel will begin/terminate. Fort de Bellegarde (Le Perthus-Els Límits). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)