Name and Location
Libya coastal motorway project.

Project Description
The project involves the construction of a motorway, which will cover the 1 700-km stretch of the Rass Ajdir-Imsaad highway, on the coast of Libya. The project will be the biggest of its kind in Africa. It will consist of two lanes and a relief lane in each direction, bridges, junctions, crossings, as well as safety facilities. The foundation stone for the road, which will run from Ras Ajdir, on the Tunisian border, to Imsaad, close to Egypt, was laid at Touisha, about 50 km east of Tripoli.

Construction of the motorway will be split in three phases, and will be awarded to three separate consortiums.

Value
The project is worth about $3-billion.

Duration
The duration has not been confirmed.

Client
The project is financed by the Italian government, through the Prime Minister's office.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None.

Latest Developments
Twenty Italian construction companies have submitted bids to build the coastal motorway, with Impregilo already having confirmed its interest. Once the offers fulfilling all of Libya's requisites have been shortlisted, the actual competition will start with financial offers being presented.
The awarding procedure is expected to start by October 30, 2010.

On Budget and on Time?
The highway has been much discussed during diplomatic meetings between the governments of Italy and Libya over recent years, but its construction did not get the official seal of approval until Italy's Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, signed the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, in August 2008.

The treaty foresees Italy investing $5-billion in Libya over the next 20 years on infrastructural projects, reserved to Italian firms, as compensation for Italy's occupation and colonial rule over the North African country from 1911 until the second World War.

Contact Details for Project Information
Italian government chief press officer Vincenza Alessio Ruffo, tel +39 06 6779 3303, fax +39 06 6798 648 or email segreteriadelportavoce@governo.it.