The Highways Agency has signed a £490m private finance
initiative (PFI) deal to upgrade its communications network, which
includes road messaging systems, CCTV cameras, roadside emergency
phones and traffic monitoring systems.
The 10-year project has been awarded to the Fluor-led GeneSys
Telecommunications consortium, and replaces a number of smaller
contracts.
The new systems are designed to give operators more up-to-date
information and pictures using internet-based technology.
Alcatel is part of the GeneSys consortium and has been awarded a
contract worth £86m as part of the deal.
New cables to link roadside transmission stations will be
installed on parts of the M3, M4 and M62 motorways in the first
stage of the project.
