The Spanish rail infrastructure operator Adif has invited bids to renew the overhead catenary and upgrade the signalling and communications technology on the Cercedilla – Cotos line, part of the Cercanías commuter rail network in Madrid, for a total of €23.8 million. The overhead catenary contract, costing an estimated €12.5 million, is to be completed within 12 months. As the overhead catenary for the metre-gauge line is to have a second contact wire, the poles and foundations will have to be recalculated. The new overhead catenary will have to be compatible with both the 1,950 mm pantographs of the existing vehicles and the 1,700 mm pantographs of the future vehicles. The upgrade of the signalling and telecommunications systems, costing an estimated €11.3 million, is to be completed within 14 months, and includes the replacement of the existing interlockings in Cotos and Puerto de Navacerrada with electronic interlockings, including cabling and integration into the central traffic control (CTC) system in Madrid-Chamartín. Adif has already tendered the infrastructure conversion work, including track renewal and work on stations and stops, for €16.9 million.
