Mexico's Secretary of Communications of Transport (SCT) has awarded the concession contract to build the Obregón Bypass project to a consortium formed by Spanish and Mexican companies.

The winning consortium is formed by Invex Infraestructura (Mexico), Constructora Pavimentadora Vise (Mexico), Construcciones Rubau (Spain) and Constructora y Edificadora GIA + A (Mexico).

The team bid construction costs of P1,145 million (US$88 million). The consortium will invest a total of P776 million (US$60 million) in the new road.

The 30 years concession involves the design, build, finance, operation and maintenance of the new road.

The team beat out competition from a consortium formed by: Propiedades inmobiliarias de Mexico, Promotora y desarrolladora Mexicana, Promotora y Desarrolladora Mexicana de Infraestructuras, Compañia Constructora Mas and Manrent. Two other consortia also bid for the concession but their proposals were declared insolvent.

The project involves the development of a 32.4km road. The traffic is estimated at about 4,300 vehicles per day. The project will improve traffic flow for vehicles traveling on the stretch between México - Nogales, with junction to Tijuana. The new road will also improve the movement of goods and people between the north and center of the country.

Two road concessions were awarded in Mexico during the last months:

• The Cardel-Poza Rica highway, which was awarded in early June to  Mota Engil
• The Atizapán-Atlacomulco highway concession, which was awarded in late May to OHL México.