Fininc (51%) and Sacyr (49%), received authorization to put into commission the last section of the Pedemontana-Veneta toll highway. Thus, the 6-km Malo Tunnel will officially open to traffic tomorrow at 6 p.m.
Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, visited the Malo Tunnel today.
The SIS concessionaire is responsible for the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the highway for a 39-year period from the completion of construction.
A strategic asset
The Pedemontana-Veneta highway is a key asset in Sacyr’s backlog, with an investment of EUR 2.6 billion.
The project required the construction of 162 km of roadway: 94 km for the main highway—which connects to 38 municipalities, as well as the industrial areas of Vicenza and Treviso—and 68 km for secondary access roads. The route includes two tunnels, Malo (6 km) and St. Urbano Tunnel (1.5 km), and eight viaducts.
The highway is part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and is considered a strategic asset of national importance. It is located between the A4 and A27, and crosses the Veneto Region through Vicenza and Treviso.
Of the roughly 27,000 daily vehicles estimated initially, 20% are expected to be heavy traffic.
Sustainable project
The highway’s environmental impact is minimal, given that 70% of the route runs through a trench or tunnel. It presents no visual disruption or noise, nor does it constitute a barrier since it is virtually invisible from preexisting roads, services, canals, and wildlife areas.
The project was designed and built using the latest innovations in safety, technology, and sustainability, including Sacyr’s Iohnic lighting system and sound-absorbing, anti-aquaplaning, photocatalytic asphalt (which attracts contaminating particles and, in conjunction with light, oxidizes nitrates and carbonates).
In addition, the colors of the trench walls vary according to municipality, making it easier for drivers to orient themselves. Pedemontana has transparent noise barriers so as not to reduce the visibility or illumination of the platform.
Award-winning financing
Highway construction was financed by Europe’s largest bond issue for a greenfield project, totaling EUR 1.571 billion.
The issue received four awards: the 2017 International Project Finance award in the category of Best European Operation (transport infrastructure), Best European PPP at the 2017 Infrastructure Investor Awards, Best European Financing of a roadway project at the 2017 IJ Global Awards, and the TFX Transport Project Finance of the Year.
Increasing asset value
Sacyr Concessions is a global leader in infrastructure development and, according to PWF magazine, ranks third worldwide in transport infrastructure concessions.
The company currently manages a diversified global asset portfolio valued at €3.25 billion.
