The Parliament of Aruba has approved the second PPP infrastructure project, the Watty Vos Boulevard and it is organizing an Industry Day for January 2014.

The Government is waiting for the last legislation to be approved before it can start with the call to tender, which is planned for Q1 of 2014.

PwC is the transaction advisor for the Contracting Authority. The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure is also part of the project team. The local legal firm Sjiem Fat &Co. is also part of the team.

The project, which has an estimated capital expenditure of $120 million, encompasses the design, construction, financing and maintenance of the "Watty Vos Boulevard" route.

In essence, the project involves the construction of a new arterial road 2x2 around Oranjestad between intersection Sabana Blanco and intersection Punta Brabo. In total, this involves the construction of about 7 kilometers (KM), renovation of the existing road over a length of about 17 KM in which 13 existing intersections will be reconstructed and 2 overpasses will be build. Furthermore, a bike road of approximately 17 KM will be build along the entire Watty Vos Boulevard route and low-rise beach area.

Construction period of the above is estimated no more than 2½ years. The contractor will also be responsible for the maintenance of the Watty Vos Boulevard project during all the period.

The project will be based on availability payments.

The first PPP project tendered in Aruba was the Green Corridor, which was awarded to Grupo Odinsa S.A. in April 2013.