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Rijkswaterstaat, the agency responsible for the design, construction, management and maintenance of the main infrastructure facilities in the Netherlands, has recently published a tender process for the development of the Blankenburg​ tunnel public-private partnership project located in West Rotterdam.

The launch follows the issuance of a prior information notice (PIN) in April.

The Blankenburg tunnel connection consists of the linking of the A15 and the A20 roads to the west of Rotterdam. The project will develop, among other, the following infrastructure:

• The achievement of the A24 between the A20 and A15 (approximately 4 km of tunnel under the river Nieuwe Maas)
• A land tunnel of approximately 510 meters (Aalkeettunnel)
• The widening of the A20 between the Kethelplein and Boonervliet near Maassluis
• Realizing the node A20 and connects it to the A24 in Vlaardingen

The private party will be responsible for the design, build, finance, and maintain (DBFM) of the infrastructure under a 26 year agreement. Construction estimated at 6 years from the award of the contract, followed by 20 years of conservation.

The DBFM project will have a total investment value of around €600 million.

The deadline for the interested parties that may request to participate is June 20, 2016 at 15:00 (local time). Rijkswaterstaat will disclose a preferred bidder on 13 July 2017, and financial close is expected in late 2017.

Pels Rijcken is acting as legal adviser for Rijkswaterstaat while PwC is financial adviser.

See the tender announcement (in Dutch):

https://www.tenderned.nl/tenderned-web/aankondiging/detail/samenvatting.xhtml?aankondigingId=81850