Strasbourg bypass surveys halted over environmental concerns

Further delays are looming for construction of the western Strasbourg bypass, a controversial toll motorway project in north eastern France. The government is concerned about environmental issues after Arcos, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Vinci responsible for building the bypass, said it was going to carry out field surveys in 1.5 hectares of what many consider environmentally sensitive areas.
September 27, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Further delays are looming for construction of the western Strasbourg bypass, a controversial toll motorway project in north eastern France.


The government is concerned about environmental issues after Arcos, the wholly-owned subsidiary of 5177 Vinci responsible for building the bypass, said it was going to carry out field surveys in 1.5 hectares of what many consider environmentally sensitive areas.

The project, which Arcos estimates at €553 million, is likely headed for a public inquiry towards the end of the year, according to media reports, with a construction start sometime in 2018.

In late 2015, French construction group Vinci’s consortium was named preferred bidder for the project. The win for Vinci came two years after winning the same contract, but which was cancelled over a lack of secure financing.

The 24km project is officially the tolled A355 Grand Contournement Ouest, a public-private partnership deal.

World Highways reported in March 2012 that the project was expected to cost up to €756 million, compared with the original estimate of €400 million quoted during the call to tender in 2009.

Construction was to have started in 2013 for opening by early 2017 at the latest.

Connected Construction

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Polish project causes further legal headaches
    February 28, 2012
    The long tale of woe concerning Poland's troubled A2 highway project looks set to continue with the latest developments in the case.
    Read More
  • Sweden appoints Veidekke Anläggning to Förbifart Stockholm work
    May 2, 2019
    Sweden’s transport administration Trafikverket has appointed Veidekke Anläggning as a temporary contractor for work on the Lovön section of the Stockholm Bypass - Förbifart Stockholm. The deal is worth around €9.6 million. The contractor will take over work started by a tender winner whose contract has been cancelled, according to Swedish media. It is expected the new contractor will be on site until the end of the year, by which time Trafikverket says it hopes to have re-tendered the remaining work.
    Read More
  • New bridge for Komarno and Komarom
    May 31, 2017
    Hungarian construction companies Hidepito and Meszaros es Meszaros have won a tender for a new bridge over the Danube River between Slovakia and Hungary.
    Read More
  • Fehmarnbelt Tunnel start looms on the horizon - 2020
    October 20, 2017
    Work on the €7 billion immersed tunnel under the Fehmarnbelt could begin in 2020, according to the Danish state planning and operating company Femern. A construction start has been delayed on the 18km tunnel that will run between Germany and Denmark because of environmental and consultation issues in Germany. But Claus Baunkjaer, chief executive of Femern, said he is confident that Germany will give approval next year with another two years of preparations. Baunkjaer noted that Denmark is all set to p
    Read More

Highlighted Content