VINCI Highways’ Post

The votes are in! Yesterday, we asked you a trivia question about Bechtel's involvement in the Olympics…With over 1,300 votes cast, did you guess it right? Let’s see! ⬇️ Since the 1980s, Bechtel has played a key role developing the infrastructure for 6 Olympic host cities. 🏅 Here’s a look back at some of our key projects: ✈️ Starting with the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, our #Bechtel team expanded the LAX airport, adding two new terminals, more parking, and a second level to the airport access road — all without interrupting normal operations. Bechtel colleagues were part of a committee that transformed 60 facilities in Southern California into competition sites, training centers, support facilities, and Olympic Villages. 🏟️ In Barcelona in 1992, we helped upgrade venues and infrastructure to set the stage for a memorable Summer Games. From adding a new terminal at the El Prat airport and building a 27-mile beltway around the city, Bechtel helped transform Barcelona for the ’92 Olympics. ❄️ Gearing up for the Nagano 1998 Winter Games, Bechtel provided design, procurement, engineering, and construction services for a $110 million Winter Olympic convention center with our joint venture partner. The 430,000-square-foot complex featured a hotel, meeting spaces, and a press briefing center. ⛷️ Skiing ahead to Salt Late City in 2002, Bechtel helped develop a $1.4 billion budget for the Winter Games, which was the first to include Paralympic athletes. The budget included medical services and security, 600 projects—including the construction of event venues—and 3,000 activities, such as the Olympic Torch relay. 🚇 Fast forward to Athens 2004, we managed the expansion of the city's subway system. Our efforts added a new dimension to Athens’ transportation network, enhancing accessibility and leaving a lasting impact for the city’s future. 🚉 And in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, ahead of the city's first Olympic Games, Bechtel deployed a team to provide project management services in partnership with Brazilian engineering firm, Promon Engenharia, to help open MetrôRio’s new Line 4 – adding ~10 miles of underground rail and six new stations. At #Bechtel, we’re proud to support the Olympics, building on a legacy of transforming cities and connecting communities. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dP7KNK_V

As the countdown to the XXXIII Olympic Games in Paris ticks away, the city is making preparations that will completely shift its urban landscape and infrastructure. Set to be the largest event ever organized in France, the games will start on 26 July and continue till 11 August 2024. With only 200 days left, the Paris City Council has approved around 43 new initiatives acting as a catalyst for the city's transformation – aiming for a greener, healthier, and mobile Paris. From cleaning the Seine River to building a cycling lane, activating a transit line, and banning non-essential city traffic, the heart of the French capital is on a mission against time to revitalize its historic urban core. Integral to Paris’s ambitious vision is its “Swimming Plan,” which aims to transform the Seine into a venue for aquatic Olympic events the city aims to implement new underground pipes, tanks, and pumps that are designed to clean up the river from harmful bacteria. Although the river has not been open for public swimming for over a century, the city plans to change that for the notorious games. In fact, “The goal is to have what is essentially a giant rainwater holding tank, measuring 50m wide and 34m deep, capable of storing up to 46m liters ready by spring.” However, according to experts, the billion-dollar effort to clean up the river may take much longer than planned to execute.

This week, Brisbane released a comprehensive transport development plan titled "The Race to Gold – Brisbane’s Games Transport Legacy," aimed at addressing the city's travel needs for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games and beyond. The plan includes various modes of transport, with a significant focus on facilitating electric air taxis as part of the urban air mobility (UAM) strategy. Brisbane Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner, emphasized the Games as a unique opportunity to create a lasting transport legacy for the city. Clem Newton-Brown OAM, CEO of Skyportz®, a leading vertiport developer, praised the plan, highlighting Brisbane’s potential for waterfront vertistops and suburban networks stretching across South East Queensland. The report underscores the critical role of Council of Mayors (SEQ) in collaborating with government agencies to bring UAM to Brisbane, positioning the city as a leader in innovative transport solutions. Read the full article on our blog for more details: https://lnkd.in/gGJzPJsM #AvfoilNews #UrbanAirMobility #Brisbane2032 #ElectricAirTaxis #Skyportz #OlympicGames #TransportInnovation #Aviation #Sustainability #FutureOfTransport #Australia

Top Of The Podium: How Much Does Hosting The #Olympics Cost? The busy summer of sport will kick into another gear today, as the opening ceremony for the #Paris Olympics gets underway — starting with a parade of more than 90 boats carrying ~10,500 athletes down the city’s iconic Seine river. The #French capital last hosted the quadrennial sporting event exactly 100 years ago, when it introduced the first Olympic Village to the world… though the small commune of temporary log cabins built back then bears little resemblance to this year’s contemporary 53-hectare village. That ~$1.85B accommodation is just one example of the outgoings that host nations usually shell out for in organizing a modern Olympics, but Paris seems to have done a (relatively) good job at keeping #costs down. According to estimates from an Oxford University study, as reported by #Politico, the Paris Games will cost $8.7B, excluding wider infrastructure costs such as road, rail, hotel, and airport construction. While a spokesperson for the competition refuted the Oxford figures — they reportedly come in above-budget for the “cheaper Games” that was promised — the estimate actually seems fairly reasonable, especially when compared to Rio 2016’s $23.6B budget, for instance. While Paris may boast the lowest estimated outlay for the summer contest since 2008, the host city still faces some hurdles, even this late in the game. Earlier today, for example, a spate of arson attacks hit Paris’s railways lines, with #Eurostar urging passengers to postpone travel. [email protected] 818-914-9271 #tradecreditinsurance

🌊⛵ Embracing History, Igniting the Future: The Belem's Journey with the Olympic Flame ⛵🌊   Two days ago, the iconic Olympic flame graced Marseille's shores aboard the magnificent Belem, commencing a 12-day voyage from Athens to herald the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.   The Belem, a testament to maritime grandeur and elegance, epitomizes the bygone era of sailing. Built in 1896 in Nantes, France, it stands as the last of the great 19th-century French merchant sailing ships, proudly waving the tricolor flag. Surviving five lifetimes, changing nationalities thrice, and defying the odds, the Belem embodies resilience amidst the waves.   Measuring 58 meters in length, 8.80 meters in width, with 22 sails spanning 1,200 square meters, the Belem's sheer presence commands admiration. Its main mast, towering 34 meters above sea level, is a steel marvel, a nod to maritime engineering of yesteryears.   But beyond its physical magnificence, the Belem carries a narrative of courage and adventure. With a crew of merely 13, it navigates the seas with precision, a testament to human ingenuity and determination.   As the chosen vessel for the Olympic Flame, the Belem symbolizes the fusion of heritage and modernity, anchoring the spirit of the Olympics in a voyage through time. Its selection celebrates France's maritime legacy while igniting hope for a future united in sporting excellence.   Today, the Belem continues to sail, enchanting all who behold its timeless charm. As a living monument and guardian of maritime heritage, it reminds us of the importance of preserving our past for generations yet to come.   Picture by © Maxime Franusiak #Belem #Paris2024 #Olympics #MaritimeHeritage #Sailing #HistoryInMotion #YMA #YachtMarketingAgency 

🌐 Euro Africa Gibraltar Straight Fixed Link to be built to connect #Algeciras in #Spain 🇪🇦 with #Tangiers in #Morocco 🇲🇦 👉The article does not mention three important aspects of the construction: 1️⃣ Morocco's railway network is built with #1435mm European normal gauge 2️⃣ Spain is developing a #1435mm line from the French border along the Mediterranean Rail Freight Corridor - this year it will reach #Tarragona 3️⃣ Besides the desire for football fans to travel between the host countries, there is a significant amount of #freight moving between these countries. #intermodal #CombinedTransport UIC - International union of railways #UICrail Istvan Pakozdi Raffaele Zurlo Antonio Pérez Millán MEDWAY Transports and Logistics Pau Morales-Fusco https://lnkd.in/dAKyUf3b

🇫🇷 With the 2024 Paris Olympics now well underway and more than 15 million visitors expected to descend on the French capital, organisers must consider how fans and residents can move freely and sustainably around the city. Paris now boasts more than 1,300 kilometres of bicycle lanes, 500 kilometres of which were rolled out between 2014 to 2020. 30 km worth of new lanes have been added both in and outside the city centre for the Olympics. A recent study by urban planning agency L'Institut Paris Region found that Parisians now use bicycles for 11.2% of their trips inside the city centre, whereas cars are used for just 4.3% of journeys. The map series below highlights the commitment made by organisers of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games to promote sustainable urban transport modes and link sporting venues using active mobility. 🚲 The legacy of Paris 2024 will not be solely to promote sustainable and green transport options for its residents and visitors, but to inspire other cities and future Olympic hosts around the world to follow suit. At Bax, we use spatial analysis to assess urban mobility and logistics infrastructure in several of our assignments. Find out more about our work in: 👉 Determining Norfolk's suitability for sharing scooters: https://lnkd.in/dr8-NkrM 👉 Designing a framework for open parcel locker systems in Groningen: https://lnkd.in/d598i8Dd

Infrastructure is the backbone for hosting major sporting events like the Olympics. But with sustainability increasingly at the heart of decision-making for governing bodies, what are the infrastructure demands of tomorrow for future host cities? Fantastic insights on this very question from PATRIZIA SE Head of Infrastructure for Europe and North America Matteo Andreoletti in IPE Real Assets. https://lnkd.in/eiPn4-QW

Infrastructure investment drives economic growth.

🇪🇺 Today, we celebrate the spirit of unity and cooperation that defines Europe and its commitment to progress and innovation. At Factual, we're proud to have and continue to contribute to making mobility in Europe more sustainable, inclusive, and secure through our involvement in 32 EU projects. 🤔 Did you know that the EU has been a key supporter of mobility initiatives? Over the years, significant funding has been allocated towards mobility projects aimed at enhancing transportation efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting accessibility across Europe. 💡🚲 One important initiative worth highlighting is the European Cycling Declaration, which emphasises the role of cycling in achieving sustainable urban mobility. Today, let's celebrate the EU's achievements in promoting mobility advancements and fostering collaboration among nations. Here's to a future where mobility is not only efficient but also sustainable and accessible for all. 🇪🇺 Happy Europe Day! #EuropeDay #EUProjects #EuropeanCyclingDeclaration