IP/09/759

Brussels, 13 May 2009

Commission authorises aid for construction and maintenance of A1 motorway in northern Poland

The Commission today approved State aid to Gdańsk Transport Company for the construction and maintenance of the section of the A1 motorway between Gdańsk and Toruń.

The construction of this section of motorway follows on from the granting of a 42-year concession to Gdańsk Transport Company in 1997. The section will form the final part of the north-south axis of the trans-European network.

As the company has taken out loans to fund the construction, the Government will reimburse the costs from the National Roads Fund on completion of the works. Gdańsk Transport Company will also be reimbursed from this public fund if the costs of maintaining and renovating the motorway go up.

The Commission has declared the aid to be compatible as it considers the financial advantage to the beneficiary to be proportionate and necessary.