The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has shortlisted Orlando-based I-4 Mobility Partners, a consortium of global infrastructure investors, developers, constructors and operators, among the other teams to submit a detailed bid for the $2bn I-4 Ultimate Project.

The winning consortium for the public-private partnership project will design, build, finance and operate the new highway section over an expected concession period of 40 years.

This project also includes vital interchange improvements for this section of interstate that serves as a key tourist route with an annual average daily traffic volume of 175,000 vehicles.

The managed lane project will considerably lower congestion and provides added capacity along a 21-mile stretch of Interstate 4 (I-4). FDOT will hold the tolling responsibilities for the managed lanes.

"The winning consortium for the public-private partnership project will design, build, finance and operate the new highway section over an expected concession period of 40 years."

I-4 Mobility Partners authorised representative Cesar Souza said that the consortium has been committed to the project since 2007 after participating in the first FDOT Contractor Roundtable.

"I-4 Mobility Partners looks forward to providing FDOT with the best value, while collaboratively engaging area businesses and communities," Souza said.

The Preferred Proponent for the I-4 Ultimate Project is expected to be announced in March 2014, with financial close anticipated in spring 2014.

I-4 Mobility Partners has been specially formed to reconstruct the vital stretch of I-4, and the team comprises John Laing and Skanska Infrastructure Development as joint equity partners and developers; Skanska USA Civil Southeast, Granite Construction Company and The Lane Construction Corporation are the construction joint venture.

Among lead engineering firms are HDR Engineering and Jacobs Engineering Group.

Infrastructure Corporation of America is the lead operations and maintenance firm, and Ashurst and SocieteGenerale are the legal and financial advisors.