Bidding opens for Mediterranean corridor contracts

Spain’s rail infrastructure manager, Adif, has issued an invitation to tender for four contracts to upgrade a 97km section of the Mediterranean corridor.

Work will involve adapting an existing stretch of Iberian gauge track in Catalonia to the 1,435 mm European standard.

The project has been divided into three sections; Castellbisbal-Martorell (32.3 million euros), Martorell-San Vincente de Calders (57.7 million euros) and San Vincente de Calders-Tarragona-Vila-seca (45.8 million euros).

The fourth contract, worth just over 100 million euros, is for the installation of security and communications systems along the route.

Yesterday’s announcement builds on the opening of the Barcelona-Figueres high-speed line in January, which finally connected Madrid and Barcelona with the French border.

The Spanish government is hoping the Mediterranean corridor will be ready by 2020.

Running along Spain’s east coast, the high-speed line will connect Andalusia, Murcia, Valencian Community and Catalonia with the French border.