Background

This Project consists of the operation of a 157-km road until 2030. Located in the north of Portugal, the road is the A24, connecting Chaves (at the Spanish border in the north) to Viseu (Interior Centre in the south).
The motorway is 2×2 lanes, with four service areas, and includes 35 special structures, 141 overpasses and underpasses, 23 interchanges and four tunnels (total length 1.5km). Norscut subcontracts the routine O&M to Egis Road Operation and retains the responsibility for heavy maintenance. Major repairs of the pavement are the responsibility of the Grantor.
In 2016, Meridiam purchased 100% of the toll road from the existing stakeholders Eiffage, Egis Projects, BPCE and Sonae Capital.

Stage:

In Operation

ESG/SDG Key Facts

The highway has been operating for several years and adheres to all local regulations. Regular security updates are scheduled for the operator and sub-contractors.

Innovative technological, agricultural and cultural initiatives are being analysed by the Project Company and the Operator, some of which have started to be implemented such as: deterrent alarms for small animals at interchanges (all interchanges have been equipped as of Q4 2022), or use of drones for inspection works.

To boost social interaction, fairs for local products, crafts etc. have been promoted in the service areas for residents and users of the road. Norscut met with more than 10 municipalities of the region in 2022 to see the opportunities for partnership with these local entities. The Project Company has proposed APCAP (Portuguese Association of Toll Motorway Concessionaires) the development of the SOS App (for emergency call by users), to be implemented by all Concessionaires in Portugal, which is almost concluded. This Application must be disclosed and made available to users until the end of 2024. This will be the first application in the EU aggregating all national concessionaires in a unique application.

In the context of the TFND, Norscut participated as a pilot company for the last 3 phases of Meridiam´s LEAP approach to environmental risk management. The work took place in Q2 and Q3 2024: i) Preliminary Analysis (May) ii) Evaluate & Assess (June) and Prepare (July). As a result, risks were identified, as well as mitigator measures, and indicators and objectives were defined for follow-up.