International firms compete in US bridge project tenders

The Spanish construction firm ACS is tendering for the construction and operation of four bridges in the US. The firm is tendering in partnership with some other US and international firms for some of the projects, which are worth a total of US$11.4 billion.

The Tappan Zee project is expected to cost $5 billion and the deal will be for a design and construction contract. The bridge will be located in New York, is being developed by New York State Thruway Authority and will require two, four-carriageway bridges to be built over the Hudson River.

ACS is bidding for the tender through Dragados USA and Flatiron, with partners in the bid being Samsung and Yonkers for construction and HNTP and TY Lin for design.

Another bridge the firm is bidding for is Goethals, also in New York. It has a $ 1 billion budget and the package is for construction and maintenance over a 30 year period. This bid is being submitted via ACS Infrastructure Development, along with partner John Laing. Dragados and Granite are partnering for the construction and TY Lin and Gannett Fleming for construction.

The Downtown Crossing bridge will improve connections between Kentucky and Indiana over the Ohio River and is being developed by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The tender is for the refurbishment of the Kennedy bridge and the construction of another six carriageway bridge running parallel. This project will cost in the order of $1.3 billion, with ACS bidding via Dragados and Flatiron, in a partnership formed with Skanska and URS. Work is set to start in 2018, with the winning bidder being chosen by October 2012.

ACS is also bidding in the East Crossing project which is being developed in Indiana and expected to cost $1.3 billion. This will connect the I-71 in Kentucky with the I-65 in Indiana via two bridges and a tunnel. ACS Infrastructure Development is working with Hochtief and Skanska on this bid, the result of which should be known during summer 2012.