Applus+ to provide environmental, social and land management services for a major road project in Colombia

The project is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme, based on a public-sector initiative awarded by the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), and covers a concession corridor of approximately 252.3 kilometers. Its scope includes around 63 kilometers of new dual carriageway, 14 planned tunnels, and more than 120 new bridges, in addition to improvements to existing bridges. Given its scale, the project presents significant technical, territorial, environmental and social challenges associated with the construction of large-scale road infrastructure.

Specialized technical support in environmental, social and land management

In this context, Applus+ will initially provide a team of specialized professionals to support the planning and management of the environmental, social and land-related aspects throughout the maintenance and construction of the road corridor.

The scope of services will include specialized consulting and technical support across these three areas, including assistance with the project’s engagement with the relevant authorities and coordination with the various disciplines involved in construction. This coordination is particularly important for a corridor of this scale, where construction activities must progress in an integrated manner with land management and compliance with applicable commitments.

Inadequate management of environmental, social, or land-related aspects can cause disruptions to construction, difficulties in securing land availability, requirements from regulatory authorities, or challenges in relationships with different stakeholders. Specialized management of these areas helps anticipate situations that could affect project schedules and facilitate coordinated execution across the different work areas.

Environmental monitoring, land management and engagement with local communities

The environmental component will provide support for requirements arising from construction activities and their interaction with the relevant authorities. In addition, land management will play a key role in aligning land-related requirements with infrastructure progress, while the social component will be essential to strengthening relationships with local communities and supporting the successful development of a corridor that crosses several regions.

Socioeconomic impact and improved regional connectivity

Applus+ involvement is also significant given the expected impact of this infrastructure on regional connectivity. According to project information, its development is expected to benefit approximately one million people and generate more than 150,000 direct and indirect jobs, strengthening a strategic corridor for mobility and integration across southwestern Colombia.

With this contract, Applus+ expands its capabilities in the road infrastructure market in Colombia, bringing specialized experience in environmental consultancy, social management and land management to support highly complex projects. The aim is to contribute to more efficient and coordinated project execution, helping manage risks that could affect compliance, schedules, and the continuity of construction work.