The Netflow joint venture (JV), recently established between Ferrovial subsidiary Cintra and Plenary, has secured a new contract worth A$1.8bn ($1.3bn) for the design, development and financing of works to upgrade and maintain the suburban road network in the west of Melbourne.

Cintra has been selected as the preferred respondent for the project by the Australian state of Victoria.

The Western Roads Upgrade project includes the rehabilitation and duplication of six suburban arterial roads, the development of two new interchanges, and the modernisation and maintenance of more than 700-lane-kilometres road network located in the west of the Victorian city.

Cintra CEO Enrique Díaz-Rato said: “Being selected as the preferred respondent in this project represents an important achievement for Cintra in Australia. In addition, it strengthens our relationship with Plenary through the Netflow JV.

“Being selected as the preferred respondent in this project represents an important achievement for Cintra in Australia.”

“Our team in Australia is fully committed to improving the mobility of its residents, providing opportunities for local economic growth and serving current and future needs in the country.”

Under the deal, the JV partners Cintra and Plenary will be responsible for the development of the project, WBHO Infrastructure will be in charge of the construction works related to the project and Ferrovial subsidiaries Amey and Broadspectrum will carry out the maintenance of the new road network.

The new upgraded network will help increase capacity on the network, in addition to providing enhanced driver safety.

The construction work on the western Melbourne road network is expected to be completed in 2020.

The Western Roads Upgrade programme is the first project awarded to the Netflow JV between Cintra and Plenary to construct roads in Australia and New Zealand.