Bouygues wins contract for fourth phase of Istria Motorway in Croatia

French company Bouygues Travaux Publics has won a €167.1m contract for the fourth phase of Istria Motorway in Croatia.

The contract was awarded by the Bina Istra concession company, which was founded in 1995 for the financing, construction and operation of phases one and two of the Istria project.

Under the contract, Bouygues will widen a 28.1km section of the Istria Motorway in a peninsula in north-western Croatia to four lanes.

Commenting on the contract, Bouygues Travaux Publics CEO Jean-Philippe Trin said: “We are proud that our customer has entrusted us with the construction of the fourth phase of the Istria Motorway, following phases 1A, 1B and 2A.

“This contract underlines recognition of Bouygues Travaux Publics’ expertise in motorway construction projects, not only in France but also in other countries.”

The latest project phase will be performed under the fifth amendment to the concession contract signed in September 1995 between Croatia concession firm Bina Istra, which Bouygues Travaux Publics is a shareholder in.

Bouygues Travaux Publics is responsible for phase 2B1 that involves upgrading the stretch between Rogovici in the west of the peninsula and Vranja in the east. This will turn it into a four-lane dual carriageway toll road.

Construction of the first 11.6km portion between Rogovici and Cerovlje started in November last year and is scheduled to be complete in November 2020.

Works on the 16.5km section from Cerovlje to Vranja and construction of a rest area are expected to begin in November. It is slated to be completed in November 2021.

The new section of the Istria Motorway also includes the construction of 11 viaducts.

Once the project is complete, the upgraded section of the Istria Motorway is expected to offer a better service for Croatians.