What does it mean that the motorway is constructed in a concession?

12.10.2007

Within the frame of a concession project the concession right is given to a company. The subject of the concession - i.e. the motorway - remains in state ownership, but its operation and maintenance (and in many cases also its construction) is the task of the concession company for a given time period (in the case of the M6 it is 22 years). By the end of the concession period the motorway is handed back for operation to the state.

The advantage of concession projects is that the state does not need to pre-finance these projects and that operation and maintenance is carried out by a private entity which generally works more efficiently than a state controlled one. Therefore the optimum between costs and service can be granted. In case of concessions to private entities the concession company is selected through a public tender.