The Public Works Ministry initially approved a project which intended to build a high-speed rail tunnel (AVE -Alta Velocidad Espanola-) crossing Barcelona, far form the Expiatori Temple of the Sagrada Familia, but under flat buildings.

In 2005, during the construction of a subway tunnel in the city, there was a partial collapse in the Carmel neighbourhood, with resulting in some damaged buildings (+). The soil, bed to an ancient creek, in combination with other factors such as lack of planning deep geological studies and irregularities in the work's adjudication , resulted in a gigantic hole of 18 meters wide by 35 meters deep. 1057 people had to be evacuated from their home. Actually, some of them have no been able to return yet. (The accident's multiple causes, El País, 21/01/2006. Spanish. PDF.)

Due to this disaster and the fear it caused among the population, the original drawing was changed -a fourth time in only six years--, so it would now cross under the main facade of the Temple, the Facade of the Glory. A project was planned that, at least purposely, should ensure the tunnel and also the building, by means of deploying an underground "protection screen", which in words of the present Infrastructure State Secretary, Víctor Morlán, "ensures the temple".

The opposition to the present project has two main pillars, the Sagrada Familia's Patronat and the neighbours platform "AVE pel litoral" -coastal high-speed rail-. Both groups have announced their allegations (+) .

The high-speed rail arrival to Barcelona is issued to 2007!