The A1 DBFO road project forms the northernmost part of an EU ‘TENS' transport corridor that provides a strategic link north/south, from the seaports of Gdansk and Gdynia in northern Poland to the Mediterranean coast and ports on the Adriatic sea.
This project comprises two Phases, the first being 90 km of new road from Gdansk to Nowe Marzy in Northern Poland. Phase 2 consists of a 60 km extension to the city of Torun at the southern end of the motorway
In July 2005 the Gdansk Transport Company (GTC) - in which John Laing holds a 30% stake - reached Financial Close on the €650 million project to design, build, finance and operate the A1 motorway. John Laing co-owns GTC with Skanska ID (Skanska AB Group's investment subsidiary), international road developer and operator Intertoll ID (investment subsidiary of Group Five from South Africa) and NDI Autostrada (subsidiary of NDI S.A. – Polish property developer and construction contractor).
Construction works at the Phase 1commenced in autumn of 2005. The phase scope comprises of the construction of the six sections. The 25 kilometers section of the motorway from Rusocin to Swarożyn has been opened to traffic in December 2007. The remaining 65 kilometers of the A1 Motorway were opened in October 2008.
In July 2009, Financial Close for Phase 2 (valued at approx. €900 million) was reached. The scope of construction activities for Phase 2 comprises the four sections of the Motorway, including three big bridges. The opening of Phase 2 is planned in December 2011.
Design and construction was subcontracted to a joint-venture company consisting of Skanska AB's 100% owned Polish subsidiary ‘Skanska Poland' and NDI SA. Tolling equipment supply and installation was subcontracted to Intertoll Construction and the operations of the Motorway to Intertoll Polska.
The payment mechanism for the project is predominantly availability based, with a minority shadow toll element. The concession period extends to 2039.
The project is based on a PPP, with the costs entirely financed by GTC. Senior Financing is being provided by the European Investment Bank, Nordic Investment Bank and Swedish Export-Credit Corporation.
More information about the A1 is available on the project website: www.a1-autostrada.pl
