Perpignan-Figueres cross-border rail link opens On 27.01.2011 the 44.4 km Perpignan-Figueras railway section was inaugurated between France and Spain, including the new 8 km-long bi-tube Perthus tunnel. The tunnel, which is 7 km in France and 1 km in Spain, is suitable for both high-speed rail and freight transport. Some 25 percent of the EUR280 million cost was paid by the EU under the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) plan. The trip time from Barcelona to Paris is reduced by 1h 15 min, Figueras to Montpellier by 40 min, and Figueras to Perpignan by 53 min. The project was awarded in 2004 to JV TP Ferro. For more click here. Visit tunnelbuilder archive fr/16 and es/21. 07/11.