Atlantia, the Italian company whose primary asset is the largest concessionaire on the highways network, has placed a bid of 16.3 billion euros to take over Spain's Abertis transport infrastructure group, which has extensive operations also in Latin America and France.

If successful, the operation will create the world's biggest toll road operator. According to Atlantia, the prospected takeover aims to create a global leader in transport infrastructure management, with annual earnings of 6.6 billion euros. The Benetton family would be the top shareholder of the combined group with an estimated 25.5 percent stake through Sintonia, the investment vehicle of the family.

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