Spain’s railway infrastructure manager, Adif, has awarded the contract for the modernization of the signaling system on the Valchillón–Torres Cabrera–Fuente de Piedra section, part of the Córdoba–Bobadilla conventional line. The contract is worth 65.8 million EUR.
The contract includes both the preparation of the technical design and the execution of works for the installation of a single-track automatic block system (BAU), integrated into a centralized traffic control system (CTC).
Several improvements are planned for this section, including the extension of the siding lines to a usable length of 750 meters at several stations.
The project involves the installation of modern signaling and telecommunications equipment, including electronic interlocking systems, train detection and protection systems, control and signaling installations, cable networks and trackside equipment, auxiliary civil infrastructure, fixed and mobile telecommunications systems, and technical buildings and power systems.
All of these installations will be integrated into the centralized traffic control (CTC) system. The contract covers both the execution of the works and the commissioning of the systems.
The contract supports a rolling highway
The conventional Córdoba–Bobadilla line is part of the future rolling highway Algeciras–Zaragoza, and in this context, the upgrade of signaling systems is essential to handle the anticipated increase in traffic while maintaining high standards of safety and efficiency.
Adif is carrying out a major investment program to implement rolling highway services along the entire Algeciras–Madrid–Zaragoza route. The project includes adapting the infrastructure for semi-trailer transport and other improvements, with the total investment already exceeding EUR 650 million.
These works are essential for increasing the share of rail freight transport on both the Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors, as well as for strengthening intermodal connections between Europe and Morocco.
To adapt the railway gauge on the Algeciras–Zaragoza route (between the Port of Algeciras and the Zaragoza Plaza terminal), 182 structures will be modernized, including 43 tunnels, 131 overpasses, and 8 bridges.
Work is already underway on 26 tunnels and 40 overpasses between Madrid and Zaragoza, and contracts for the Algeciras–Madrid section have already been awarded.
In addition, tracks will be extended to 750 meters at 17 stations to increase the route’s efficiency and competitiveness. Also planned are slope stabilization works at Almargen (Málaga) and the modernization of the railway track over a 7-km segment to improve operations on the Bobadilla–Algeciras section.
In the initial phase, two daily trains in each direction will run on the Algeciras–Zaragoza route, with the number increasing to three in each direction after one year for services originating in or bound for Morocco. In addition, there will be two daily trains between Huelva and Zaragoza (for traffic from the Canary Islands and the Huelva region) and four daily trains between Seville and Zaragoza (for traffic from Andalusia and the Port of Seville).
In total, approximately 12,000 train-kilometers will be covered daily, and about 360 trucks will be transported, which will eliminate approximately 360,000 kilometers of road traffic per day.
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