A consortium led by French construction company Vinci has been awarded a €255m contract to construct an extension of the D3 motorway in northern Slovakia.

Under the contract, the consortium will build a 4.2km-long section that will connect Strážov and Brodno on the outskirts of Žilina.

"The consortium will build a 4.2km-long section that will connect Strážov and Brodno on the outskirts of Žilina."

The project also includes the construction of four engineering structures: a 2.2km-long tunnel and three bridges, one of which will be a 1.4km viaduct across the Hricovská dam.

The consortium will undertake a number of ancillary works, including the restoration of secondary road networks and a variety of drainage works, as well as the installation of all the necessary motorway equipment such as emergency call boxes, variable message boards, ice warning and video surveillance systems.

Approximately 500 workers will be involved in the project, which will run for three years.

According to Vinci, 60,000 bushes and 13,500 trees will also be replanted as part of the project, in order to protect the environment.

Last month, the company secured an €850m contract for the second phase of the New Orbital Highway in Doha, Qatar. The contract covers the design and construction of 47km of motorways, 17 bridges and underpasses, six viaducts and a 320m cut-and-cover tunnel.