In a statement, Infrastructures of Portugal (IP) revealed that the contract, which will electrify the 45 kilometres of line that serve the municipalities of Silves, Lagoa, Portimão and Lagos, was signed with “the consortium formed by the companies Comsa Instalaciones y Sistemas Industriales SAU, FERGRUPO – Construções Técnicas Ferroviárias, SA / COMSA, SA, for the amount of 25,423,000.00 euros”.

The section between Faro and Tunes is already electrified and the work on the remaining two sections - between Faro and Vila Real de Santo António, which is already underway, and between Tunes and Lagos - will allow for the use of “more modern, comfortable compositions” and reduce the travel time between Lagos and Vila Real de Santo António by 25 minutes”.

The purpose of the contract is to “provide the track with an electric traction system”, but it is also planned to carry out works to “lower the railroad across an extension of approximately 400 metres” and an “intervention in the metal bridges of Portimão and Vale da Lama”, revealed the company that manages the Portuguese railway line.

Also included in the contract are “interventions in station buildings and stops for the installation of fixed electric traction infrastructure” and “improvement of safety, reliability and operation of railway traffic”.

In this sense, the work foresees the construction of a new infrastructure to support the signalling and telecommunications systems, as well as stabilization works on slopes, said the same source.

Actions are also planned for the requalification of pedestrian crossings, with the construction of overpasses to the level crossings, as well as the suppression of at least one level crossing, through the construction of a road overpass.

“Infraestruturas de Portugal will soon submit the contract for consideration by the Court of Auditors (TC). After the granting of the Prior Visa by TC, the necessary procedures will be developed for the consignment of the work and the beginning of work in the field”, said the company.