WSP was a key participant in the development of the Second Vivekananda Bridge and Tollway, one of the largest transportation projects in eastern India undertaken by a public-private partnership (using a design-build-operate-transfer delivery system), and an integral part of a national program to upgrade essential infrastructure. The 3.8-mile (6.1-kilometer), six-lane tollway connects the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah in eastern India. The bridge, which crosses the Hooghly River, is the world’s first multi-span, single-plane cable-supported bridge with short pylons. The project formed the critical eastern link of the multibillion-dollar Golden Quadrilateral Program implemented by the National Highways Authority of India.
WSP served as a shareholder and member of the core program management team in the Second Vivekananda Bridge Tollway Company (SVBTC), a consortium of infrastructure development, investment, engineering and construction firms responsible for developing the project. The National Highways Authority opted for private financing to speed construction, and achieve a faster return on investment. SVBTC was awarded the right to operate the revenue-producing bridge and tollway under a 30-year agreement. WSP was an integral part of the consortium’s project finance team, and also provided design, design management, and construction supervision services during implementation.