The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) is working to clarify risks that may affect contract negotiations about the PPP project Rv555 Sotrasambandet (the Sotra Connection). This means that the scheduled time for starting the tender process must be revised. The NPRA will return with a revised schedule before summer.

Rv555 Sotrasambandet (the Sotra Connection) is the second project in Norway´s road PPP programme. The project will lie in Hordaland County. It will become the new main land connection between Sotra/Øygarden and Bergen and will ensure efficient transport to urban centres and urban districts, and to main roads, railway, airport and sea transport. Expected investment of the project is NOK7.5 – 8.5 billion (US$860 - 975 million).

The Sotra Connection is a highly complex project, NPRA needs further clarifications with regard to changes to the zoning plan for Storavatn in Bergen and realignment of high-voltage power lines.

The Press release published by the NPRA says that: ¨the fact that the Sotra Connection is a PPP project means that the NPRA will sign a contract with one company that assumes a single-point responsibility for construction, operation and financing. The key to a good contract with the right market price is in-depth knowledge of the risk factors involved in the project. Given that the duration of the contract is 30 years, it is essential to have an orderly and clear tender process to ensure a good contractual relationship over many years¨.