Plans for a new high-speed train route connecting Portugal and Spain, two of the most popular travel destinations, have been approved by the Portuguese government, according to Express.

Thousands of people visit the major cities of these two European nations each year. The trains that now connect them take longer than nine hours.

The new train will reduce travel time to just three hours, passing through the Extremadura region of Spain.

Even though the project’s plans have been authorized, development has not yet started. The engineers predict a six-hour reduction in travel time by 2027.

But the finished project won’t be operational until 2034. This is because work on a new bridge over the River Tajo is underway, and it could take up to nine years to complete.

Madrid, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal will be connected by this planned high-speed train system. Renfe, a state-owned train business, will run it.

The Spanish government’s recent initiatives to encourage train travel and lessen reliance on air travel in an effort to minimize greenhouse gas emissions are consistent with this new project.

In addition, Portugal is building a new high-speed train line that will open later this year for intercity travel. The project is expected to cost between £3.3 billion and £3.5 billion.