Ferrovial
A consortium of Ferrovial, Acciona, and Lopesan will build a section of highway on the island of Gran Canaria in Spain. Credit: Ferrovial.

A consortium comprising Ferrovial, Acciona, and Lopesan has won a €153m ($173m) contract to construct a section of highway on the island of Gran Canaria in Spain.

Ferrovial said it is the first major construction project awarded after signing the road agreement between the Canary Islands and the Spanish Government by the end of 2018.

Under the contract, the consortium partners will be responsible for building the second phase of the Aldea highway, an 8.5km-long route between El Risco and Agaete.

The project also includes improvements to a half-kilometre stretch of the existing highway.

A total of eight tunnels and two viaducts will be constructed as part of the contract.

“In addition to reducing journey times, the road will provide an economic boost to the La Aldea municipality and northern Gran Canaria.”

Starting at the new roundabout, the first five bidirectional tunnels with one lane in each direction will be constructed along the way to the 130m-long viaduct over the La Palma ravine.

Subsequently, another 400m-long tunnel, three lanes, and two more tunnels will be constructed under the Risco de Faneque, with two lanes each that are linked by crosscuts.

Additionally, the 520m-long three-lane El Risco viaduct will be built, and the last tunnel will be 600m long with three lanes and will connect the existing stretch at the El Risco semi-link.

The consortium is contracted to complete the construction work in 65 months.

The Canarias Government believes that the new roadway will reduce the route by 55% compared to the existing one.

In addition to reducing journey times, the road will provide an economic boost to the La Aldea municipality and northern Gran Canaria.