Global concession and construction company VINCI has announced the opening of the new 12km portion of the East End Crossing connecting the US states of Indiana and Kentucky.

The firm explained that with the opening of this new infrastructure would improve commuter safety and ease traffic flow.

The concession consortium led by VINCI Highways will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of a major portion of the East End Crossing for 35 years.

"The opening of this new infrastructure would improve commuter safety and ease traffic flow."

The project was executed under a $1bn PPP contract signed in 2013 by Indiana Finance Authority and the concession company WVB East End Partners, comprising VINCI Highways, Walsh Investors and Bilfinger.

The project is reportedly one of the largest transportation improvement projects in the US, and is VINCI’s first PPP in the country.

The new infrastructure features a 762m cable-stayed bridge over the Ohio River with two diamond-shaped piers, a 512m dual-tube tunnel on the Kentucky approach to the bridge, as well as 19 engineering structures and road network and associated infrastructure upgrades.

The company claims that the construction phase was successful in terms of safety, with more than 1,100 days worked without lost-time accident.

Image: VINCI completes the construction of Ohio River bridge in US. Photo: courtesy of VINCI.