Green light for AW SA to begin construction of first portion of A2 highway

Transportation Minister Jerzy Widzyk has accepted documents confirming Autostrada Wielkopolska (AW) SA has gathered sufficient financial resources to begin construction of the first 150 kilometers of the A2 highway. The two sides signed an appendix to the contract with Autostrada Wielkopolska SA (AW SA), giving the go-ahead for construction of the highway to begin in the spring of next year. Last week the Polish government guaranteed a euro' 275 million loan enabling AW SA to sign a loan contract with European Investment Bank (EIB). Two other banks have decided to give the construction company loans of euro'235 million. The first part of the highway will connect Nowy Tomysl and Konin. In March 1997 AW SA acquired three licenses for the construction and use of three parts of A2 Highway. However it was unable to raise the money for construction and therefore could not begin the work. Last year the Ministry and the company authorities signed an appendix to the contract in which AW SA unconditionally relinquished its right to one A2 fragment (Konin- Strykow). It will invest two parts only and will connect Swiecko- Nowy Tomysl and Nowy- Tomysl -Konin. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2)