News
Successful refinancing of LBJ Express, a USD 2.6 billion highway project in USA
25.09.2020
This refinancing will significantly reduce the costs of the 52-year concession, which has been fully operational for five years, and leaves the project with a more robust financial structure. Even during the current health crisis, the sustainable performance of this managed lanes project in North Dallas and the favorable terms of the bond market made the refinancing possible. The refinancing consists of the issuance of tax-exempt bonds (PABs), for total proceeds of $615M, to replace those issued in 2010 as part of the original financing of the project.
The LBJ project, a 13.4-mile highway, nearly doubled the road capacity of one of the busiest roads in North Texas, with an average daily traffic of over 250,000[1]. Drivers have the option to travel along the newly rebuilt general highway lanes and frontage roads at no charge. They can also enter the TEXpress Lanes, which feature variable tolling with the objective of ensuring a continuous flow of traffic at a minimum rate of speed of 50 mph. The project serves as congestion relief for commuters, providing a quicker, safer and more reliable mobility source for people and goods and therefore supporting the local and regional economy.
This project demonstrates Meridiam’s commitment to build sustainable and resilient infrastructure and concretely contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs):
- Involvement in developing a quality and sustainable infrastructure (SDG #9).
LBJ obtained Gold Green Business Certification[2] (US green business certification delivered to companies that use business as a tool for positive social change and that employ environmentally responsible processes) and implemented a proactive environment protection action plan.
- Carbon positive impact (SDG # 13)
By reducing congestion, the cumulative amount of avoided emissions is expected to be about 1 million tons of CO2 during concession life (c.65,000t CO2 less per year).
Solar panels were also installed on the roof of all the existing buildings of LBJ. The system has a power production capacity of 200 kW, representing about 30% of the electricity consumption in the administrative building.
And finally, LED lighting were installed all along the highway to reduce energy consumption.
In the mobility sector, Meridiam now manages 5 highways and over 120 km in USA (in Colorado, Texas and Virginia) and more than 3,000 km globally.