US$ 1.3 billion Libyan road for Salini Impregilo

A € 963 million (US$ 1.3 billion) contract to construct the first section of a coastal motorway in Libya has been awarded to a consortium led by newly-merged Italian contractor Salini Impregilo.

The consortium also includes Italian construction services company La Società Italiana per Condotte d’Acqua and contractors Impresa Pizzarotti & C and Cooperativa Muratori & Cementisti .

Salini Impregilo has a 58% share of the contract, which will be financed by the Italian government under the Friendship, Partnership and Co-operation Agreement signed between the Italian and Libyan governments in 2008. The finance includes an advance of € 145 million (US$ 193 million).

The new motorway will run 1,700 km across Libya from the Tunisian border to the Egyptian border. The contract is for the first section, covering 400 km from the city of Marj to Emsaad, on the Egyptian border.

Salini Impregilo said the most significant parts of the project would include the construction of 12 bridges, both 2.2 km long, as well as eight service areas and six parking areas.