Mexico-based Empresas ICA has secured a MXN$2bn ($157m) contract with Concesionaria Autopista Guadalajara – Tepic, to build the 30km, two-lane Tepic Bypass in the state of Nayarit.

Under the agreement, the firm will construct new roads, which includes drainage system and bridges over the next two years.

The Tepic Bypass will be part of the South Pacific tollroads the contract for which was awarded by the Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transportation to Concesionaria Autopista Guadalajara – Tepic, a subsidiary of Impulsora del Desarrollo y el Empleo en América Latina, (IDEAL).

The Tepic Bypass will start at the crossing with the Guadalajara-Tepic federal road and span up to the junction with the Tepic-Villa Union highway.

The two lane bypass is being constructed to reduce travelling time and vehicle operating costs as well as to provide benefit to the residents of Tepic by preventing traffic on the urban road system.

Construction on the project is expected to commence in March this year, after the concession award is finalised by the client, and become operational in the first quarter of 2014.

The contract will be included in ICA’s first quarter 2012 construction backlog.