Vinci and American Walsh win $2,78 billion contract for Chicago subway extension

Vinci's Major Projects Construction branch will be associated with the American Walsh Construction Company, at a rate of 40% and 60% respectively, to carry out the extension of the "red line" of the metro of the third American city, which is scheduled to come into service in 2030.

The work, which will cover 6,4 miles of elevated section, is intended to serve disadvantaged communities in the south of Chicago. The new infrastructure will be "fully accessible to people with reduced mobility," the press release said.

"Around 100.000 additional residents will have access to a decarbonized public transport service, significantly reducing their travel time, particularly to get to the city center," the group said.

Vinci has committed to allocating 10% of design hours and 35% of construction hours to people from economically disadvantaged areas of the city. Some 22% of purchases will be made from local VSEs and SMEs, the company promises.

The French construction giant is thus continuing its development in the United States, for example after the acquisition in April of a 14 km toll section of the Denver (Colorado) ring road for around 1,2 billion dollars.

Vinci Construction generated 54% of its revenue internationally in the first half of 2024, notably by increasing its geographical coverage in North America through several targeted acquisitions, according to the group's latest activity report.

The Vinci group as a whole achieved a turnover of 1,5 billion euros in the United States in the first half of the year, or 4,3% of the total over six months.