Colombia's Infrastructure Unit, ANI, and the consortium formed by Shikun and Binui and Grodco has achieved commercial close for the East Cundinamarca bypass concession project.

The winning team bid for P856 billion (US$463 million), which is 19% under the proposed budget estimated by the government. The project was awarded on 24 July this year.

The fundamental purpose of the project is to develop and promote a 153 km north-south arterial road in the eastern sector of Bogotá in order to propose an alternative for mobility in this geographical location. The project involves the development of 8 bridges and 3 overpasses.

The public-private partnership contract consists of the design, construction, financing, operation, maintenance (DBFOM) and reversing the East Cundinamarca bypass. The term of the concession contract will be 22 years.

The total project investment is estimated at P1.07 billion (US$532.3 million).

The Colombian road sector has been very active during this month. As part of the 'Autopistas para la Prosperidad', ANI signed on 12 September Pacific Connection highway concession 1 and Pacific Connection highway concession 2.

ANI also announced that it has received two proposals for the Connection North highway concession and two proposals for the Magdalena River highway 2 concession, both belonging to the 'Autopistas para la Prosperidad' package as well.