S1 PENETRANTE NORD SUD SFAX

The project consists of the construction of a 27.9-km long 2x2 urban road running north-south alongside the seafront of the city of Sfax in Tunisia. The project is a major allocation under the framework loan Modernisation Routière II (Serapis no. 20150308).

The project will contribute to the rehabilitation and expansion of key urban road sections in the city of Sfax. It is part of the over-arching country strategy to increase competitiveness through the provision of essential infrastructure. The project meets the Bank's priority objectives for transport lending and is in line with the Bank's objectives.

The project consists of the creation of a new urban road of four lanes. If located within the EU, it would fall under Annex I of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2011/92/EC, thus requiring a full EIA. One main EIA procedure including a public consultation has been carried out in accordance with national legislation in Tunisia. A Resettlement Policy Framework has been prepared. The Bank shall investigate environmental and social aspects during the appraisal and verify that the promoter has followed the relevant EU environmental and social principles, standards and practices. The Bank shall also verify the acceptability of the project in terms of likely environmental impacts and proposed mitigation and compensation measures.

The Bank will require the promoter to ensure that implementation of the project will be done in accordance with the Bank's Guide to Procurement.

This operation is covered by the ELM Guarantee.