ACCIONA wins A$5.3bn East West Link project in Australia

ACCIONA, a global provider of infrastructure, renewable energy and water services, has signed a A$5.3 billion (€3.7 billion) contract with the Victorian State Government in Australia to finance, design and construct the first stage of the East West Link in Melbourne - the largest civil works project in Australia.

ACCIONA, together with Capella Capital, Lend Lease and Bouygues, are partners in the East West Connect consortium that was selected to deliver the project in an international competitive tender. Each partner has a long history of successfully delivering major infrastructure projects in Australia. The consortium will form a fully integrated Design and Construction team, and will also be responsible for operation and maintenance.

The project is a milestone for ACCIONA in Australia and the world. The East West Link is the largest civil works projects ever undertaken by the Company in its 80-year history.

"ACCIONA and its partners in the East West Connect consortium are determined to leverage their international and local expertise to deliver a vital new transport artery for Melbourne that will incorporate the highest standards in sustainable construction methods and urban design," Luis Castilla, CEO, ACCIONA Infrastructure, said.

When complete the East-West Link will be an 18 kilometre cross-city highway that will reduce congestion by removing vehicles from local roads, improve access to the Port of Melbourne and the city's international airport, and support the long-term growth and development of Melbourne, Australia's second city.

The eastern section of the East West Link, which has been awarded to the consortium, is 6.6 kilometres long and will include twin 4.4 km three-lane tunnels. It will link the western end of the Eastern Freeway to the CityLink in Parkville, providing a vital new artery to the north of the central city. Given its importance to the Australian economy, the federal government is contributing A$3 billion to fund the project.

Construction, which will employ approximately 3,700 people, is expected to begin this year with completion in 2019. The project includes improvements to transport and community amenities along the project corridor.

This is ACCIONA's first infrastructure project in the state of Victoria.  In Brisbane, ACCIONA leads a joint venture that is building the $1.5 billion Legacy Way Project, which won the 2013 international tunnel project of the year award. In New South Wales, ACCIONA is currently building a 19.5km upgrade of the Pacific Highway with consortium partner Ferrovial.

ACCIONA has been present in Australia since 1992 with major infrastructure, water and renewable energy projects.