The government of Aruba plans to launch the tender process for the second PPP infrastructure project, the Watty Vos Boulevard on February 14, 2014.

According to a presentation that took place last week during the Industry Day, the submission of Expressions of Interest is scheduled for May 2014, the preferred bidder is planned to be announced in December 2014 and the contract and financial close is expected for mid-2015.

PwC is the transaction advisor to the contracting authority. The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the local legal firm Sjiem Fat &Co. are part of the team.

The project cost is estimated over US$100 million. The project will be  develop  on a  design, construction, financing and maintenance basis.

In essence, the project involves the construction of a new arterial road 2×2 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 first PPP project tendered in Aruba was the Green Corridor, which was awarded to Grupo Odinsa S.A. in April 2013.