Honduras' public-private promotion agency, Coalianza, has announced that Eterna S.A. has signed a concession contract for the development of the Gracias - Celaque highway and the upgrade of the San Juan-Gracias highway in Honduras.

The project had been officially awarded in July. According to the local press, the company is expected to invest around US$22 million from its own resources.

The tender process was conducted by Coalianza and the Banco FICOHSA, which received the final technical and economic proposals on 15 July 2014.

Eterna presented an economic proposal for a total of L470 million (US$22 million). The project will be developed on a design, build and operate basis.

The project involves the development of a 37.8 km highway between San Juan and Gracias, the upgrade of a5.5 km road between Gracias and Celaque, and the maintenance of both stretches for a period of 10 years.

On 11 July 2014 we reported that Coalianza had issued a request for expressions of interest for the CA-5 Sur highway PPP. The road will be developed on a design, build, finance, operation and maintenance basis.

The new 88 km road will link the capital Tegucigalpa and Jícaro Galán.

Early this year, Coalianza awarded the new Palmerola airport concession to Constructora de Servicios Aeroportuarios Integrados S.A. (SAISA). The estimated project investment is US$107 million and the concession period will be 30 years.

The Palmerola airport will be located on a former airbase on the major road between Honduras capital and San Pedro de Sula, just 70km from the capital and a 50 minute journey time, 13 km from the city of Comayagua.