EIB funds Dutch motorway project

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided nearly €80 million to Rijkswaterstaat – the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment – for the widening of the A6 motorway near Almere, Netherlands.

The money has been provided to Rijkswaterstaat under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

Parkway6 – a consortium of John Laing Group, Dura Vermeer, BESIX and Rebel – has signed up for the project, which includes the design, construction, and financing of the A6. It will also include 20 years of post-construction management and maintenance.

The project aims to enhance an important link in the traffic system in the Schiphol – Amsterdam – Almere (SAA) corridor, part of the core TEN-T network.

The road section links up with the A1/A6, which was previously financed with EIB support.

The EIB said the growth of the town and the expected traffic increases on this road section, had created the need to expand the road's capacity. It said the widening would allow for a smoother flow of traffic, thus reducing traffic jams and emissions.

Once completed, solar panels installed in the middle of the A6/A27 junction are expected to produce an average of almost 1MW of electricity, which will provide enough energy to operate all the electrical systems involved in the road’s operation including lighting, traffic control and signalling.

Pim van Ballekom, vice president of the EIB, said, “Transport has always been one of the main priorities for the EIB. This project shows the Bank’s broad commitment for this sector in the Netherlands.

“I am particularly pleased that this public-private partnership is guaranteed under the EFSI. Getting concrete projects off the ground is our main contribution within the Juncker-Commission’s Investment Plan for Europe and this well-structured PPP sets an example for other transport projects in Europe."