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Discover More About Our New Member Bouygues Travaux Publics and Their Rail Baltica Success

New member Bouygues Travaux Publics to lead €332M Rail Baltica project, marking a key milestone for French expertise in Estonia.

Our new member, Bouygues Travaux Publics, recently won the Rail Baltica "Alliance 2" tender. Led by Bouygues Travaux Publics in partnership with Budimex S.A., Ingerop Conseil et Ingénierie (ICI), KMG Infra OÜ, and WSP Finland Oy, the consortium secured a design-build contract for the Pärnu–Ikla section, estimated at €332 million.

We interviewed BenoîtLange, Director of Business Development Europe (Major European Projects), about the tendering process.

Howmuchpreparation time wasrequired to participateinthistender? Approximately six months, which is relatively fast for an infrastructure project of this scale. It is worth noting that the Estonian client strictly adhered to the original schedule.

Didthetenderhaveanyparticularcharacteristics?(Alliance...) Yes, the Alliance framework used is based on the Finnish model, which itself is heavily inspired by the Australian model and is still relatively uncommon in Europe. It is a "cooperative" contractual model in which the company and the client work together, making all decisions jointly in the best interest of the project. The company’s remuneration depends on achieving a target cost as well as other qualitative objectives.

What is the major challenge of the Rail Baltica project compared to your experience in other European countries? Securing the necessary funding, which is still far from being fully assembled, is a major challenge. Additionally, the transnational nature of RB Rail, the contracting authority for the Rail Baltica project, does not facilitate quick decision-making.

Is this the first contract in Estonia for Bouygues Construction? Yes.

Will Bouygues Construction teams be relocating to Estonia for the duration of the project? Yes, a number of employees will be relocating to Estonia for the duration of the project, but mainly from 2026 onwards when construction work truly begins.

The CCIFE congratulates the Bouygues Travaux Publics team on this success, which highlights the expertise of French engineering. This achievement underscores France’s long-standing tradition of excellence in infrastructure development, combining innovation, technical mastery, and sustainability. French engineering firms have consistently demonstrated their ability to deliver complex projects worldwide, adapting to local challenges while upholding the highest standards of quality and efficiency. The Rail Baltica project is yet another example of how French expertise contributes to shaping the future of European transport and connectivity.

Recent Projects by Bouygues Travaux Publics

Bouygues Travaux Publics has been involved in several significant projects worldwide, reflecting its commitment to delivering complex infrastructure solutions:

• River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project, Australia: In November 2024, Bouygues Travaux Publics, as part of a consortium, was selected to construct the T2D tunnel project in South Australia. The company's share of this project exceeds €2 billion.
• Grand Paris Express, Metro Line 15, France: Bouygues Travaux Publics was selected by the Société du Grand Paris to carry out public works on Line 15 South of the Grand Paris Express. The civil engineering work covers the stretch between the stations of Villejuif Louis-Aragon and Créteil l’Échat.
• Melbourne Metro Tunnel, Australia: The company has been involved in the construction of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel, a significant infrastructure project aimed at enhancing urban mobility.
• Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Plant, United Kingdom: Bouygues Travaux Publics is piloting the construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant, a major energy infrastructure project in the UK.
• Pawtucket Tunnel, United States: In January 2021, Bouygues Travaux Publics announced its involvement in the construction of the Pawtucket Tunnel in the United States, further showcasing its expertise in underground works.

These projects demonstrate Bouygues Travaux Publics' global reach and its capability to undertake diverse and challenging infrastructure projects across various sectors.