ARCADIS and Rijkswaterstaat Join Forces in Pilot Projects for Motorway Expansion

By Prne, Gaea News Network
Tuesday, March 17, 2009

ARNHEM, The Netherlands - ARCADIS (EURONEXT: ARCAD), the international design, consulting,
engineering and management services company announced today that it will
assume the contractor role together with Rijkswaterstaat (Dutch
Transportation and Water Authority) in three road expansion projects. In
total, motorways with a length of 42 kilometres will be widened from 2×2 to
2×3 lanes. Rijkswaterstaat is experimenting during this pilot project with a
so-called ‘integral contracting-out’ to ascertain whether the contractor role
can be partly outsourced. In this case, the market will take on as many tasks
as possible leaving the Rijkswaterstaat in the director’s role with ultimate
responsibility. For ARCADIS, the project will yield around EUR11.3 million in
revenues.

The following motorways have been chosen for this particular pilot
project: A12 Waterberg-Velperbroek, the A50 Valburg-Grijsoord and the A28
Zwolle-Meppel. Two of the three motorways - the A12 and the A28 - are already
on Minister Eurlings’ (Dutch Minister for Transport, Public Works and Water
Management) list of 30 pressing projects. ARCADIS and Rijkswaterstaat are
investigating how realization of these motorway expansions can be
accelerated.

A special aspect of this project for the partners is that much time can
be gained by using innovative working methods. All works to be carried out
are aligned and if necessary, commenced at the same time. By using this
process, at least one year of project time can be gained per project and
considerable costs savings can be achieved.

The aim is to commence the actual expansion in 2010. Minister Eurlings
would like to speed up large infrastructure projects while respecting all
procedures. Rob Mooren, Managing Director of ARCADIS in the Netherlands,
stresses the importance of approaching large projects in this manner. “This
is the first big project in which ARCADIS is looking at ways to move
construction forward swiftly and cleverer. This is ultimately not only of
benefit for drivers but also for the economy.”

About us:

ARCADIS is an international company providing consultancy, design,
engineering and management services in the field of infrastructure,
environment and buildings. We aim to enhance mobility, sustainability and
quality of life by creating balance in the built and natural environment.
ARCADIS develops, designs, implements, maintains and operates projects for
companies and governments. With more than 14,000 employees and more than EUR
1.7 billion in gross revenue, the company has an extensive international
network that is supported by strong local market positions.

Visit us on the internet at: www.arcadis-global.com

PRN NLD

Source: ARCADIS NV

For more information contact: Mark Zellenrath of ARCADIS at +31-26-3778348 or outside office hours at +31-6-507-36265 or e-mail at m.c.zellenrath at arcadis.nl.

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