TMB Centennial: Innovation and Accessibility in Barcelona
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29 Jan 2025
A Century of Urban Mobility in Barcelona
Last December, Barcelona celebrated a milestone that few transportation systems can boast: the centenary of Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB). A century of history that has not only accompanied the city’s growth but has also been a key player in its evolution.
On December 30, 1924, the people of Barcelona experienced a moment that would forever change the way they moved around the city. On that day, the first train of the Gran Metro, the name given to Barcelona's underground railway, departed from Plaça Catalunya. The initial 2.714-meter route connected four stations: Lesseps, Diagonal, Aragó (now Passeig de Gràcia), and Catalunya. It was an ambitious project that followed in the footsteps of cities like London and New York, reflecting Barcelona’s aspiration to position itself as a major European capital.
The Transformation of TMB Over 100 Years
The history of TMB is also the history of Barcelona. From the early trams to the modern automated trains, each advancement has been a step forward towards a more connected, accessible, and efficient city. Today, the TMB network is a complex system that connects the city, transporting millions of people to their destinations while also driving the economy and contributing to sustainability.
Beyond being a simple mode of transportation, the metro is an economic engine. It connects commercial areas, tourist neighbourhoods, and residential districts, facilitating the constant flow of people and resources. Its existence is key to alleviating surface-level traffic, reducing pollution, and transforming Barcelona into a more liveable and welcoming city. Moreover, by freeing up urban space, it allows for the creation of parks, promenades, and public spaces that enrich the lives of citizens.
Orona's Contribution
As part of this story of progress, Orona has had the privilege of being part of TMB’s growth. The elevators installed by Orona in various metro stations have been a crucial element in ensuring that transportation is accessible to everyone, facilitating access for all individuals.
This journey began on July 30, 2010, when Orona completed an ambitious mobility project on Line 5 of the Barcelona Metro, contributing to the installation of 24 elevators, 43 escalators, and 14 moving walkways at the new stations of Carmel, Teixonera, and Vall d'Hebron. This collaboration reaffirmed Orona's commitment to efficient mobility and universal accessibility.
The design and execution of the project stood out for its technical innovation and adaptability:
Accessible and Efficient Connection: The stations are equipped with high-capacity elevators (1,000 kg, 13 people) and escalators with a 27º incline to ensure smooth and fast movement from the street to the platform.
Complex Designs in Shaft-Type Stations: At Teixonera and Mercado del Carmel, elevator banks with above-average speeds were installed to overcome significant height differences. Notably, the Batet shaft, the deepest in the network at 65 meters, featured three high-speed 1,000 kg elevators operating at 2 m/s. Furthermore, since these shafts were separated from the platform access, moving walkways were installed to quickly and comfortably bridge these distances. The longest walkways, such as those at Beat Almató (70 m), were installed to ensure fast connections between the various levels.
Strategic Hub at Vall d'Hebron: Designed to handle high volumes of people, this station features an interconnection between L3 and L5. As a result, a significant number of facilities were integrated, including 8 upward escalators and 8 downward escalators at the Muntanya access. At the Mar access, 6 upward and 5 downward escalators were installed in the form of connecting galleries from the platform to the main street-level entrance. Additionally, both access points were equipped with PMR elevators (1,000 kg, 13 people) operating at 1.6 m/s, linking the platforms with the main vestibules of both L3 and L5.
The execution of this project was also a notable achievement. From the start of the work in October 2009, the collaboration between the civil engineering, architecture, and installation teams was crucial to meet deadlines and overcome challenges. Three key moments in terms of coordination and execution were:
- The first installation of escalators in the Connecting Gallery, from the main Pastrana vestibule to the platform at Carmel station. The initial state of the work in Pastrana Square was leveraged, where the square had not yet been covered, and the work was coordinated with the ongoing civil works. This allowed for the escalators in the gallery to be installed in a clean, fast, and much more productive operation than if the project had waited until the area was fully completed.
- Another decisive point for the timely execution of the project was the assembly of the metal support structures for the Batet elevators. Given the need to adapt the assembly methodology to the state of the construction, an exclusive process, along with extensive coordination and resources, allowed the assembly of the 70-ton iron structure to be completed in record time.
For Orona, this project not only represented a technical milestone but also an opportunity to reaffirm our values of proactivity, approachability, meaningful innovation, and commitment. Each month, the installed elevators transport the equivalent of three times the population of Barcelona, significantly improving the mobility of millions of people.
We are proud to have contributed to this major advancement in the city's public transportation system and are grateful to everyone who made it possible. We remain committed to projects that promote sustainable mobility and improve quality of life.
Looking to the future
The centenary of TMB is an opportunity to celebrate the journey so far, but also to look ahead. Metropolitan transport will remain key to the city's transformation, and in that journey, Orona reaffirms its commitment to continuing collaboration on projects that make a difference.
Here’s to another 100 years of progress. We congratulate TMB and celebrate its role as a driver of innovation and sustainability in Barcelona.
