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The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) has selected Skanska as the preferred bidder for the RV 3 / RV 25 Løten-Elverum project, which involves the construction of a new national road in the county of Hedmark, eastern Norway. The PPP contract is worth NOK5.5 billion (US$711.6 million).

The new road will be constructed in sections:

• Rv 3 Ommangsvollen–Tønset, 3.4 km new two- or three-lane road with central barrier
• Rv 3/25 Tønset–Åkroken, 14.2 km new 4-lane motorway with central barrier
• Rv 25 Åkroken–Terningmoen, 1.1 km 4-lane road.
• Rv 3 Åkroken–Grundset, 6.2 km new two- or three-lane road with central barrier
• Rv 3 Grundset–Svingen, 1.0 km, upgrading of existing two-lane road to two- or three-lane road with central barrier

Altogether, Skanska will deliver 16.5km four-lane road, 10.5km two-lane road with overtaking lane, 7.1km pedestrian/cycle path, a new inspection centre/Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office (trafikkstasjon) at Ånestad, three grade-separated junctions, two roundabouts, two T-junctions, nine bridges, eighteen over-/underpasses and two wildlife crossings. The construction period is estimated to be 2.5 years.

Skanska will also finance the project and operate and maintain the new infrastructure for 20 years.

This is the first PPP contract awarded in the transport sector for almost ten years. It is also the largest road contract ever awarded in Norway.

Two consortia also competed in the tender for the project - the Stamveg consortia, comprised of Veidekke and Sundt, and a joint venture between Strabag and Acciona. 

The NPRA aims to sign the contract at the end of May.