SPANISH infrastructure manager Adif has awarded a 20-year supply-install-commission-maintain signalling contract for the Albacete - Alicante high-speed line to a consortium of Alstom, Comsa Emte, Isolux Concesiones, and CAF. The contract is worth around Euros 280m, of which Alstom has a Euros 110m share.

The project involves the installation of ERTMS Level 2, which for the first time in Spain, will be installed without the back-up of ERTMS Level 1.

The deal includes project design, installation and maintenance of the signalling system, the fixed communication system, centralised traffic control, security equipment, automatic train protection, mobile GSM-R communications equipment, and infrastructure for mobile phone operators.

The 171km line is due to open at the end of this year, substantially reducing the Madrid - Alicante journey time.