ACCIONA, in partnership with Sacyr and Plenary Americas (Calcasieu Bridge Partners), has been awarded Innovation of the Year by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) for the concession project to develop the new I-10 interstate highway in Louisiana. This award spotlights an idea within a public-private partnership (P3) project that demonstrates how innovation helps provide value for the users of P3s.

The second award, shared with Meridiam, was received for the SR400 project in Atlanta, Geogia for Community Impact of the Year. This award spotlights a P3 project that demonstrates the economic and philanthropic values P3s offer to their respective communities.
The awards ceremony took place during the P3 division's conference luncheon held this Wednesday in Washington.

American Road and Transportation Builders Association’s (ARTBA) annual P3 Awards program honours individuals, projects, organizations and ideas that demonstrate outstanding achievement in the establishment and delivery of U.S. transportation P3 projects and this year ACCIONA received two awards.

I-10 CALCASIEU BRIDGE

Valued at $1.3 USD billion, this project is the largest and most complex public-private partnership (P3) undertaken in the state. The project scope includes the reconstruction of a six-lane highway, the construction of multiple structures, including the new bridge, implementation of a free-flow tolling system, and the demolition of the existing bridge.

In collaboration with Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the project utilizes an availability payment structure that reduces financial risk to the state. Supported by toll revenues and private capital, the project represents a sustainable model for delivering critical infrastructure through public-private partnerships.

Funding includes both public and private sources. The State of Louisiana will contribute approximately US$1.196 billion (€1.097 billion) during the construction phase, disbursed as work progresses. Long-term financing is supported by the issuance of US$1.332 billion (€1.222 billion) in tax-exempt Private Activity Bonds (PABs) across four tranches, with maturities between 2054 and 2066. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. acted as key financial participants. The remaining private equity will be invested upon project completion.

SR400 EXPRESS LANES HIGHWAY

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) awarded the consortium formed by ACCIONA, ACS and Meridiam, the construction and operation (for 50 years) of the SR400 Express Lanes highway in Atlanta (Georgia). This is one of the largest highway projects in the US.

With an investment of approximately US$10.8 billion (€9.8 billion), the SR 400 Express Lanes Project includes the construction of two managed lanes in each direction for approximately 25 kilometres, as well as an additional managed lane in some additional segments of the project.