Name and Location
L2 bypass project, Marseilles, France.

Client
French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy.
When construction is complete, the infrastructure will be operated by the Mediterranean division of the French Interdepartmental Highways Authority – the agency responsible for the national road network, while maintenance and renewals will be conducted by the Société de la Rocade L2 de Marseilles.

Project Description
The L2 will divert traffic from the centre of Marseilles and decongest the city.

The project includes the development of a toll-free 10-km-long urban expressway, which will link the A7 motorway, leading north to Aix-en-Provence, and the A50, an eastbound motorway towards Aubagne and Toulon.

Two distinct stretches will be designed and built – a completely new section north of the city (4.1 km) will be designed and built and the construction of the east section (5.5 km), which began construction about 20 years ago, will be completed.

The new link will deploy the most energy efficient and environment-friendly lighting and ventilation systems.

Value
€620-million.

The project will be jointly funded by the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, the Bouches-du-Rhône department and the Marseilles Provence Métropole urban community, through the payment of grants during the period of construction. When the L2 East link comes into service, the French government will pay a royalty, which will primarily allow for the reimbursement of the financial bond of about €165-million, invested by the Société de la Rocade L2 de Marseilles with the Allianz group, and cover the cost of maintenance and the renewal of infrastructure.

Duration
The handover for the whole bypass is scheduled for October 2017.

Latest Developments
The Société de la Rocade L2 de Marseilles, a joint venture formed by Bouygues Construction, Colas Midi-Méditerranée, Spie batignolles, Egis, Meridiam Infrastructure and CDC Infrastructure, has signed a partnership contract with the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy for the L2 bypass project.

The 30-year public–private partnership encompasses the financing, design, construction, upkeep, maintenance and renewal of the engineering structures and equipment of the infrastructure.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Société de la Rocade L2 de Marseilles (financing, design, construction, upkeep, maintenance and renewal of the engineering structures and equipment of the infrastructure for the L2 bypass).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy,
tel +33 1 40 81 21 22.
Bouygues Construction press contact Mathieu Carré, tel +33 1 30 60 66 30 or email m.carre@bouygues-construction.com.
CDC Infrastructure press contact Marie-Laure Mazaud, tel +33 1 58 50 53 08 or email marie-laure.mazaud@cdcinfra.com.
Colas Midi-Meediterraneé press contact Séverine Aguillar, tel +33 6 64 74 61 83 or email severine.aguillar@colas-mm.com.
Spie batignolles press contact Pascal Pillon, tel +33 6 30 48 36 53 or
email pascal.pillon@spiebatignolles.fr.
Egis press contact Isabelle Bourquet, tel +33 1 30 48 44 12 or email isabelle.bourguet@egis.fr.
Meridiam Infrastructure Véronique Branger, tel +33 6 61 51 52 03 or
email vbranger@volcacommunication.fr.