Barcelona City Council has awarded the companies Grupo Etra and Kapsch Trafficom the maintenance of nearly 40,000 traffic lights in the city for an estimated value of €34.3 million excluding VAT. The two-year renewable contract includes innovations such as the replacement of obsolete materials and the maintenance of 81 anti-terrorism bollards.
Barcelona City Council has awarded the companies Grupo Etra and Kapsch Trafficom the contract for the maintenance of the nearly 40,000 traffic lights in the city. The Commission for Ecology, Urban Planning, Mobility and Housing gave the green light last Friday to this multimillion-euro contract, which has an estimated value of €34.3 million excluding VAT and a duration of two years, until 2028, with the possibility of extension for another two years.
The new contract represents a budget increase of €2.5 million per year compared to the previous one, which was already managed by the same companies. The award has been divided into two lots: one for the Llobregat area and another for the Besòs area. Grupo Etra will be responsible for the traffic lights in the Llobregat area for an amount of €10.1 million (including VAT), after presenting a global reduction of 39.50% on the unit prices of the contract.
On the other hand, Kapsch Trafficom will manage the repair of the traffic lights on the Besòs side for €7.9 million (including VAT), with a reduction of 39.60% in the unit prices. Grupo Etra's offer for this lot was rejected by the council as it was deemed to include "abnormal or disproportionate values," according to the minutes of the municipal commission on July 24. The difference between the total value of the contract and the sum of both lots corresponds to the potential extension and planned contractual modifications.
The Barcelona council has highlighted as innovations of the new contract the updating of the inventory, the replacement of all obsolete or damaged materials, and the incorporation of maintenance for 81 new anti-terrorism bollards. To ensure maximum speed in repairs, the specifications require companies to have a minimum stock of spare parts for all installed materials.
Another enhancement provided by the new contract is the preventive maintenance of the facilities to avoid incidents. The actions include checking the condition, cleaning, and correcting defects and anomalies during operation, with mandatory interventions during daytime hours on working days. In case of breakdown, the awarded companies must respond with 24-hour services 365 days a year.
The City Council frames this contract within the Endresa Plan, aiming to strengthen preventive maintenance and the renewal of public space elements. In 2026, scheduled actions will be carried out at 453 signalised intersections in the city, incorporating fibre optics to improve the remote management of the facilities.
The municipal objective is to modernise a total of 952 signalised intersections between 2025 and 2027. The actions include regulating the electrical supply, replacing wiring and communication systems, as well as implementing traffic lights adapted for visually impaired individuals.
For drivers and pedestrians in Barcelona, this contract represents an improvement in the reliability of traffic lights, with fewer breakdowns and a quicker response to incidents. Additionally, the modernisation of intersections will enhance traffic flow and road safety, especially for the most vulnerable groups.
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