The Ministry of Ecological and Inclusive Transition of France has announced the designation of the consortium composed of the companies Eiffage (agent) and APRR as "single preferred bidder" for the RN-79 RCEA road expansion project. 

The project consists of widening and upgrading to highway standards a section of the RN 79 road between Sazeret (Allier commune) and Digoin (Saône-et-Loire commune). This comprises a 89-km road widening of and the exploitation of this section. The project will also include rest and service areas.

This operation is part of a plan to enhance safety on the Route Centre-Europe Atlantique (RCEA). 

The concessionaire will be responsible for the design, building, financing, operation and maintenance of an additional lane in either direction and assume the maintenance of the existing road. 

The concession will operate with no balancing subsidies from the French State. The selected bid includes provisions specifically aimed at the use of cleaner vehicles and installing electric vehicle charging systems, in preparation for new requirements expected in the framework law on mobilities.

As it is intent on optimising project timeframes, Eiffage already has teams working on the consultation process and several of the administrative procedures required to move forward on the project, under the company’s responsibility and in accordance with applicable regulation, to make the most of the time during which Arafer (the French rail and road regulator) and Council of State review the draft agreement.