SPANISH HIGH SPEED construction authority GIF is to call tenders for supply and maintenance of signalling and telecommunications equipment on the 183 km Puigverd de Lleida - Barcelona Sants section of the new line between Madrid and the French border. A budget of €302·3m has been set for the work, which includes interlockings, GSM-R radio and hot axlebox detectors. The successful bidder will be expected to complete design work within three months, install and commission equipment over six months and undertake maintenance from handover until December 31 2006.
On the Madrid - Valladolid high speed line, bids are also to be invited to install and maintain overhead electrification, signalling and telecommunications equipment over the 110 km Segovia - Valladolid section. Budgeted at €191m, this contract will include trackside equipment such as point heaters and tunnel lighting, with the project timetable similar to that for the Barcelona contract.
The Ministry of Development has now begun public consultation on its preferred route for the 11·5 km Valdestillas - Valladolid section, as well as a chord between the Medina del Campo and Valladolid branches and a link at Medina del Campo to the projected high speed line to Salamanca. These sections totalling 25·3 km would cost €100m to build.
