Skip to main content

Chile-Argentina tunnel passes administrative hurdle

The Agua Negra tunnel project that will connect Chile and Argentina has now passed a further legislative stage. The Chamber of Deputies in Chile approved the second protocol for the construction of the Agua Negra link. When complete the new tunnel will connect Argentina’s San Juan Province with Chile's Coquimbo Region. The tender process for the project should be launched in July 2015. The tunnel will be of major importance for both countries, providing an important link and carrying traffic that now has to
June 3, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The Agua Negra tunnel project that will connect Chile and Argentina has now passed a further legislative stage. The Chamber of Deputies in Chile approved the second protocol for the construction of the Agua Negra link. When complete the new tunnel will connect Argentina’s San Juan Province with Chile's Coquimbo Region. The tender process for the project should be launched in July 2015. The tunnel will be of major importance for both countries, providing an important link and carrying traffic that now has to pass through other connections with limited capacity and that are vulnerable to poor winter conditions. As it will be constructed at an altitude and in a remote area, the project will not be without its challenges however. Much of the route lies in Argentina, but Chilean tunnelling expertise will likely play a major role in its construction.

Related Content

  • Argentina-Chile Agua Negra tunnel passes key preliminary stage
    February 17, 2015
    The Argentinean Senate is giving preliminary approval for the Agua Negra tunnel project. This is a key stage in the planning for the tunnel, which will link Argentina and Chile. The preliminary stages involve discussing the Maipu Treaty and various procedural agreements between the governments of both countries, an important step forward from the frosty relations between the two nations in the past. Further discussions will be held by the authorities in Argentina while the Chilean Government will be evaluat
  • Plans are moving ahead on the new Argentina-Chile tunnel
    June 24, 2013
    Plans are progressing with regard to the Agua Negra tunnel that will connect Argentina and Chile and is expected to cost in excess of US$850 million. The authorities in San Juan province are calling for proposals to construct the tunnel and have published the terms and conditions for the tender. Those interested in the project will have to submit their proposals before 4th October 2013. A number of companies have shown an interest in the project including firms from Brazil, China, Germany, South Korea, Swit
  • Agreement between Chile and Argentina on tunnel route
    January 21, 2013
    The authorities in Chile and Argentina have signed a key agreement over the Agua Negra Tunnel project. This new tunnel will provide a new link between the two countries. The link is expected to feature a twin tube design and will connect the Argentinian province of San Juan and the Chilean IV Region of Coquimbo. The tunnel will form a crucial component in the Mercosur route. The new tunnel will be in the vicinity of the current Paso de Agua Negra border crossing. When it is complete, the planned Mercosur ro
  • Agua Negra tunnel between Chile and Argentina
    May 15, 2014
    The current Paso de Agua Negra is the highest border crossing between Chile and Argentina. On the Argentine side, the Agua Negra Pass is located at 4,765m above sea level and 260km from the city of San Juan in the province of San Juan in the north-west of the country. On the Chilean side, the pass lies 229km from the city of La Serena in the Coquimbo region. The pass can be accessed from the Argentine side via National Highway No 150 from the province of La Rioja, which runs for a total of 390km. From the C