INFRASTRUCTURE Portugal (IP) has awarded Thales three new contracts for the modernisation of the signalling systems on the Cascais Line, the West Line between Meleças and Caldas da Rainha stations and Santa Apolónia station in the Lisbon region.

The scope of these contracts is to install the new electronic interlocking PIPC G3 (Generation 3) on all three lines whilst ETCS Level 2 will only be deployed on the Cascais commuter line.

New track circuits, axle counters, point machines, level crossings and a new power supply system will all be provided by Thales, which will also be responsible for the design, validation, supply, installation, test and commissioning, safety, civils works and 10 years of maintenance.

The three contracts are designed to improve capacity and safety and maximise infrastructure availability through the integration within the Lisbon Operation Control Centre, which was also designed and built by Thales.

The Cascais line serves a dense urban area and also an important tourist area. Santa Apolónia station is the main intercity terminus stations in the city.