ACS and Acciona Groups, in partnership with Meridiam, have secured a 50-year contract to finance, build, and operate the SR400 Express Lane project in Atlanta, Georgia. Valued at over $4.6 billion (EUR 4.2 billion), this project will involve more than 25 km of managed lanes.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the Georgia State Road Tollway Authority (SRTA) selected the consortium to handle the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the SR400 Express Lanes. The venture will be executed by ACS Infra, Acciona Concesiones, and Meridiam under the consortium name “SR400 Peach Partners,” with Dragados and Acciona Construcción as the builders and Parsons as the designer.
The total investment, including construction and concession fees, amounts to approximately EUR 9.8 billion ($10.8 billion). The project is set to span a 5.5-year construction period followed by 50 years of operation and maintenance.
The SR400 Express Lanes will feature two managed lanes in each direction for about 25 km, with additional managed lanes in certain segments. Located in Atlanta, the project supports a rapidly growing city projected to gain 144,000 residents and 114,000 jobs by 2050.
As part of Georgia’s Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP), the SR400 project aims to enhance roadway connectivity and alleviate congestion on SR 400 and its connection to I-285. This project is crucial for linking Atlanta’s job centers with residential areas in Fulton and Forsyth counties.
Funding will come from a mix of equity, debt, and a TIFIA loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation, supplemented by taxable and tax-exempt bonds. Financial closure will involve senior debt and letters of credit.
This award underscores the consortium’s expertise in managing lane projects and its commitment to transforming transportation infrastructure for improved connectivity and sustainability. It also marks the beginning of a lasting relationship with GDOT, SRTA, and the Atlanta community.
For ACS Group, this project aligns with its strategy to invest in traffic risk projects in North America. The SR400 Express Lanes will be added to its portfolio, which includes 16 projects worth approximately EUR 20 billion. Notable projects include the Gordie Howe International Bridge and the LAX Automated People Mover.
ACS Group is a global leader in infrastructure, with over 140,000 employees and 2023 revenues exceeding EUR 35 billion. It ranks as the second top international contractor and the 12th global builder according to Engineer News-Record (ENR).
