Mott MacDonald to upgrade major west Spain highway

2579 Mott MacDonald (MM) has been appointed by Sociedad Concesionaria Autovía de la Plata as lender’s technical advisor for a major highway upgrade in western Spain. The project involves the design, construction, maintenance, operation and finance of a 49km two-lane dual carriageway between Benavente and Zamora. The new road, which will bypass the existing single carriageway through local villages, will form the last section of the 809km A-66 Autovía de la Plata highway, connecting Gijon in the north to Seville in the south.

The MM consultancy role as lenders’ technical advisor is split into two phases. The first is technical and commercial due diligence up to financial close. The second phase covers the construction period and involves monthly monitoring of progress.

The A-66 is a high capacity arterial road which serves many of the main population centres in western Spain. The Benavente to Zamora section is the last part of the highway to be upgraded. It is expected that the works will shorten journey times and improve safety. Construction is expected to take two years.

The project will be financed through a 30-year concession period. Revenue for the concessionaire will be derived from an availability payment from the government. The project will include eight new junctions, five viaducts, 34 overpasses, 14 underpasses, a service area and a maintenance depot.