Contractor Besix and civil engineer Matière have reached financial close on a contract to design and build seven bridges in the West African state of Gabon.

The deal was signed last February, but the start of works was delayed while the Gabonese government put the necessary funding in place.

Besix said the scheme would bring “substantial economic and developmental benefits” to Gabon.

The country is rich in natural resources such as oil and manganese, and is a classed as upper-middle-income state, however almost a third of the population lives below the poverty threshold.

The agreement triggers the start of a 36-month contract between the Ministry of Public Works and the consortium.

This will produce two 200m-long flyovers in Libreville, the Gabonese capital, another 200m steel replacement bridge across the Abanga River in Ebel, a city located on the Transgabonese road. This will ease congestion in areas crucial for healthcare, education and access to the capital.

There will also be four pedestrian bridges in Libreville, intended to enhance pedestrian safety around schools and markets.

Brussels-based Besix, as the consortium leader, will perform all civil works and carry out the installations.

France’s Matière, through its subsidiary Metallic Bridges of Belgium, will supply all the steel structures, including some that will use its patent Unibridge system.

The companies previously partnered on the Pont de l’Enfance and the Mungo bridges in Cameroon.

Quentin Olivier, Besix’s business development manager, commented: “As the consortium leader, Besix actively supported the Gabonese government in securing the financing. This involved collaboration with the Belgian export credit agency Credendo and Besix’s long-standing financial partners.

“Gabon can also rely on the combined design expertise of Besix and Matière for this crucial infrastructure project. Our teams are eager to mobilise and bring this project to life.”