The European Investment Bank (EIB) lends EUR 200 million for the construction of 66 km of the M6 motorway between the cities of Dunaujvaros and Szekszard, lying on the trans-European transport axis linking the Hungarian Capital Budapest with the Adriatic Sea. The new 2x2 motorway section will be constructed, financed and operated under the Public Private Partnership scheme.
The project is promoted by the Republic of Hungary and will be implemented by M6 Tolna Autópálya Koncessziós Zrt (the Concessionaire), which is a new company incorporated by the wining consortium of the international tender launched by the Hungarian Ministry of Transport, Telecommunication and Energy. The Concessionaire will be responsible for the design, construction, refurbishment, operation and maintenance and financing of the project for a period of 30 years.
The new motorway will connect the already completed northern motorway section of the M6 to the under-construction southern section, which will end at Pécs, the largest city in the south-western region of Hungary. The full motorway connection from Budapest to Pécs is expected to be completed by spring 2010.
Mrs. Marta Gajecka, EIB Vice-President responsible for lending operations in Hungary, commented: “I very much welcome the extension of the M6 Motorway being a crucial transport link not only for Hungary but also a relevant infrastructure needed for a deeper integration of the whole region. It will help to meet the envisaged increased transport demand for passengers and goods after the future EU enlargements in terms of safety, capacity and comfort.”
Background note
The mission of the EIB, the European Union’s long-term financing institution, is to contribute to the integration, balanced development and economic and social cohesion of the Member States by financing sound investment. Since 1990, the Bank has provided funds including the current loans totalling some EUR 9 billion in support of projects promoting EU policy objectives in Hungary
The transport sector is the major beneficiary of EIB loans in Hungary receiving some 38% of the total lending provided by the EIB in the country. The first phase of the M6 motorway between Budapest and Dunaujvaros, 73 km of motorway sections and by-pass connections on the M3/M35 motorway connecting Budapest with Debrecen and the Budapest ring road represent the major road projects co-financed by the Bank in Hungary.