The consortium formed by Acciona, Meridiam and Cintra- Ferrovial has achieved financial close to build the A-66 Benvente - Zamora highway in Spain. The total amount financed for the project is €160 million.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has given half of the loan to the SPV, while the other half has been provided by BBVA, Santander and ICO (Spanish state owned bank).

Mott MacDonald is the lender's technical advisor for the highway upgrade project in western Spain.

The project involves the design, construction, maintenance, operation and finance of a 49km two lane dual carriageway between Benavente and Zamora for 30 years. The new road will bypass the existing single carriageway through local villages and form the final section of the 809km A-66 Autovía de la Plata highway, connecting Gijon in the north to Seville in the south.

The road should be ready in July 2015.

The Acciona - Cintra- Ferrovial - Meridiam consortium signed the concession contract with the Government of Spain in December 2012.