Chief engineer to present Vidin-Calafat Bridge at ICEF

Fernando Flórez Llanos, who was chief engineer for FCC on the construction of the Vidin-Calafat Bridge, will give a presentation on the scheme at this year’s International Construction Economic Forum (ICEF). The bridge is one of five schemes short-listed for the prestigious International Construction Project of the Year award, the winner of which will be announced at ICEF.

Mr Flórez joined FCC in 2006 as a quality manager and production manager. In March 2007 he was appointed chief engineer on the Vidin – Calafat Bridge, which links Bulgaria and Romania over the Danube. He held this role until this year, and has since joined FCC Technical Services’ sit3e support management department.

The € 275 million (US$ 360 million) bridge is not only the longest bridge over the Danube at 2 km, but also the largest construction project ever in Bulgaria. It forms an integral part of European Transport Corridor IV, which links Dresden (Germany), Thessaloniki (Greece) and Istanbul (Turkey).

The bridge means that it is now possible to travel from South to North Europe without exiting the EU, cutting 500 km off their journey from southern European ports in Greece and Turkey. The bridge also reduces the travel time between Vidin, Bulgaria and Calafat, Romania from three-hours to ten-minutes. It is estimated that the new bridge will serve 100,000 motorists in its first year.

The bridge was not only successfully completed, but uses innovative measures such as the first usage of components designed to extend the life of the bridge and reduce future maintenance costs, such as BBR HiEx CONA Saddles for the stay cables, as well the first European implementation of GTI Tight Radius Duct and GTI Precast Segmental Duct Couplers.

ICEF details

ICEF will take place at the Hotel Okura in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The conference, networking event and awards dinner will focus on core themes of trends and forecasts in the global construction industry, project finance, successful project management and delivery, equipment technology and asset management.

The programme is designed to appeal to a broad range of executives and senior managers throughout the construction industry from disciplines such as contracting, equipment manufacture, materials production, equipment rental, finance, project management and consultancy.

The evening of 21 November will also see a gala dinner and the award of prizes in five categories for outstanding performance in the construction industry. The most sought-after is expected to be the International Construction Project of the Year award, which will recognise a scheme worth US$ 100 million or more, of international significance.

More details on ICEF, including how to book tickets, can be found at www.icef.biz. Click here to go straight to the booking form for delegate tickets to ICEF.