ARCADIS and Rijkswaterstaat Join Forces in Pilot Projects for Motorway Expansion

ARNHEM, The Netherlands, March 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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 2x2 to 2x3 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: http://www.arcadis-global.com

SOURCE ARCADIS NV