Acisa is awarded a comprehensive maintenance service contract for Barcelona’s city tunnels

Monday, March 25 2024

With a budget exceeding 12 million euros and an estimated value of nearly 19 million euros, this comprehensive service seeks to guarantee adequate operation and continued preservation of infrastructures and facilities.

Barcelona City Council’s Ecology, Urban Planning, Infrastructures and Mobility Committee has approved Acisa’s award of a service to guarantee the good condition and operation of more than 20 road infrastructures in the city. This contract covers a broad range of responsibilities, to include structure maintenance, signalling, related civil engineering works, electricity supply facilities, lighting, security, as well as associated areas such as technical rooms and service galleries. Furthermore, the agreement also covers facilities for communications, and control hardware and software, which are essential for remote handling and surveillance of these tunnels from the control centre.

The comprehensive service is not limited to maintenance only; it also covers essential tasks to back up traffic and ensure tunnel and user safety. These functions are defined in Self-Protection Plans (PAU) and Operation Manuals for the tunnels, and include collaboration when handling accidents and incidents, with guaranteed availability of the necessary human and technical resources. Furthermore, all control centres will be coordinated, particularly with the Tunnel Control Centre, to handle any detected emergencies and incidents, and to participate in the drafting of documents, protocols and other regulatory or necessary requirements to ensure adequate tunnel operation.

The need for this contract is explained by the critical importance of maintaining adequate operation and preservation of infrastructures and facilities in city tunnels. This includes essential equipment and systems for the multi-tunnel SCADA system, thus guaranteeing safety and efficiency in a vital item of Barcelona’s urban infrastructure.

One of the contract’s most important contributions is its incorporation of Les Glòries Tunnel technological components, meeting the highest standards of complexity, functionality, resilience and intelligence. This component design allows real-time interaction with the city tunnels’ control service, where connection may be made with cameras and sensors. Furthermore, more resources have been assigned for first aid assistance in emergency situations.

The new contract will remain in force for 36 months, extendable for 24 further months.