Financing and procurement are fundamental to delivering, maintaining and transforming road infrastructure. As road systems respond to changing economic conditions, sustainability requirements and the need for greater transparency, traditional approaches are evolving. PIARC’s Technical Committee 1.3 “Finance and Procurement” is examining how financing and procurement systems can adapt to these changes while supporting effective and sustainable investment in roads.

Three key priorities for Finance and Procurement

As part of PIARC’s 2024–2027 Strategic Plan, Technical Committee 1.3 “Finance and Procurement” is focusing on three complementary areas:

• Transparency in road projects, including approaches to strengthening openness, accountability and stakeholder communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Decarbonising funding and finance, exploring how financing mechanisms can support lower-carbon road infrastructure through international case studies and good practices.
• Financing the ecological transition of existing road infrastructure, addressing the challenge of mobilising the resources needed to transform and adapt infrastructure that is already in place.

These priorities reflect a broader question for road administrations: how can available resources be mobilised and used effectively to deliver road infrastructure that meets today's needs while preparing for tomorrow's challenges?

Explore PIARC’s knowledge on road financing

Throughout the Thematic Week, PIARC will highlight the wealth of knowledge available through its Financing of Road System resources.

The PIARC knowledge base brings together technical reports, Routes/Roads articles and proceedings from international seminars dedicated to road financing. Among the latest publications are reports and case studies on best practices in funding and financing road infrastructure, the impact of new propulsion technologies on infrastructure funding, the preparation of road projects and the optimisation of maintenance strategies.

Together, these resources provide road professionals and decision-makers with international experience and practical insights into the different approaches used to finance, fund and manage investment in road infrastructure.

New PIARC podcast episode: a closer look at finance

To mark the Finance and Procurement Thematic Week, PIARC also launches a new episode of the PIARC podcast dedicated to finance.

The episode offers an accessible way to explore the challenges surrounding road infrastructure financing and the role of finance in supporting the future of road systems, complementing PIARC’s technical publications and expert work on the subject.

The podcast is available through PIARC’s usual podcast platforms (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music)

A debate on the future of road sector financing

As part of the Finance and Procurement Thematic Week, PIARC will also highlight the Council Debate Conference, where member countries are discussing different mechanisms for financing the road sector and their implications for the availability of road infrastructure.

The discussions address the wide-ranging consequences of different financing approaches, including their impact on the availability and quality of road infrastructure, road safety, and social and territorial equity. They also provide an opportunity for PIARC member countries to share experiences and perspectives on how financing choices can influence the performance and accessibility of road networks.

This international debate reflects the strategic importance of financing decisions for road administrations: beyond securing the resources needed to develop and maintain infrastructure, the mechanisms chosen can have a direct bearing on the quality of services provided to road users and on the equitable access to transport infrastructure.

Discover the work of Technical Committee 1.3 “Finance and Procurement”

The Thematic Week is also an opportunity to discover the work of PIARC Technical Committee 1.3 “Finance and Procurement”, which brings together international experts working on road financing and procurement.

Chaired by Rafael Aldrete (Mexico), with secretaries representing Canada, Senegal and Mexico, the Committee contributes international expertise and comparative perspectives to the challenges faced by road administrations.

Its work underlines the importance of effective and transparent financial and procurement practices in ensuring that resources are used efficiently and that road projects can deliver lasting value.

Follow PIARC’s Finance and Procurement Thematic Week

From 19 to 23 October, follow PIARC’s channels for daily highlights, expert insights and resources on financing and procurement.

Whether you are involved in road administration, infrastructure investment, project management, procurement or sustainable transport, the Finance and Procurement Thematic Week is an opportunity to discover PIARC’s international knowledge and explore how road financing can support the transformation of road infrastructure.

Follow the week online

Join PIARC throughout the week and discover the knowledge, expertise and perspectives shaping the future of road finance and procurement.

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