The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) is taking a 25% stake in a project to construct and operate a new toll tunnel in Australia.
The pension fund manager said Monday it will invest A$525 million ($518 million) in the country’s infrastructure sector with its participation in a consortium to build and run a new tolled tunnel motorway northwest of Sydney, to be known as NorthConnex. Construction of the tunnel is to begin this year, and it is expected to be completed in 2019.
The A$2.9 billion project will be funded by the consortium, along with the governments of New South Wales and Australia. The CPPIB’s investment represents a 25% ownership interest.
“We are excited to be part of this important motorway development project which is in line with our strategy to invest in attractive global infrastructure opportunities,” said Cressida Hogg, managing director, head of infrastructure, at the CPPIB.
The CPPIB notes that it has invested approximately $7.1 billion in Australia through real estate, infrastructure, public equities, real estate investment funds, and direct investments, as of Sept. 30, 2014.