The UTE consortium formed by Hitachi Rail and Sistem has been awarded a contract worth EUR 126.5 million to install signalling and traffic management systems and equipment on the 70 km Talayuela–Plasencia railway section Madrid–Extremadura high-speed line covering. The contract had previously been announced by Adif, without specifying the winner.
The contract includes the installation of signalling technology including interlockings – devices that remotely control signals and points on a railway section, train protection systems, fixed telecommunications, and ERTMS Level 2 signalling and train control system. The consortium will also implement a Centralised Traffic Control (CTC) system, which will enable remote and real-time management of all these elements.
In addition, the contract covers subsequent maintenance of all deployed equipment for a period of 48 months.
A key feature of this section is the implementation of the European Train Protection System ERTMS Level 2 using Hitachi Rail technology as the main operational base.
“This contract reinforces our commitment to contributing to the development of Spain’s high-speed rail network with our cutting-edge digital technologies. With over 30 years of experience across the Spanish high-speed rail network, we’re helping connect regions and drive progress toward more efficient and sustainable transport across the country” said Carlos Mezquita, General Manager of Hitachi Rail Spain, Turkey, and Greece.
The signalling and traffic management systems contract represents a further step for Adif to complete the 437 km Madrid–Extremadura high-speed line comprising three electrified sections. The Plasencia – Cáceres – Mérida – Badajoz section, followed by Madrid – Oropesa and Talayuela–Plasencia railway section forming part of the Atlantic Corridor and represents an investment of EUR 3.8 billion.
The 195 km Plasencia – Badajoz section, inaugurated in July 2022, has been operating as an electrified line since December 2023, thus promoting more sustainable mobility through the use of renewable energy and greater reliability in train services. This section included the most unique structures of the Extremadura corridor overing two viaducts spanning the Alcántara reservoir: the 1.5 km Tagus Viaduct, one of the world’s longest-span concrete railway arch bridges, and the 996-metre Almonte Viaduct. Among the tunnels, the Santa Marina Tunnel (Cáceres) stands out, particularly the Los Castaños Tunnel: its 3.4 km length makes it the longest on the line.
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