Chile-Argentina tunnel project progress

Further progress is being made with the landmark Agua Negra Tunnel project that will connect Argentina and Chile. The new tunnel will run through the Andes mountain range, providing an improved highway link between the two nations, boosting trade and transport. The consortia pre-qualified for the tender process will be announced during November 2017.
October 20, 2017 Read time: 1 min

Further progress is being made with the landmark Agua Negra Tunnel project that will connect Argentina and Chile. The new tunnel will run through the Andes mountain range, providing an improved highway link between the two nations, boosting trade and transport. The consortia pre-qualified for the tender process will be announced during November 2017. Construction of the tunnel is expected to cost US$1.5 billion and could take up to 10 years to complete. Initial funding to help start some of the technical design and planning work on the project is being provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) in the shape of two loans. One loan of $130 million will be for Argentina while the other, of $150 million, will be for Chile. The IADB has said it will source the necessary funding for the entire project. The intended design of twin tube tunnels calls for parallel drives measuring 13.9m in diameter. Around 72% of the 14km route run through Argentina, connecting San Juan in Argentina with Coquimbo in Chile.

Road Structures

Related Content

  • Chile highway link project for Valdivia
    June 26, 2017
    New dual carriageway connections are to be built in Chile to join the town of Valdivia to the Ruta 5 highway. The work is expected to cost US$250 million in all, with the work being planned by Chile’s Ministry of Public Works (MOP) and construction due to start in 2021.
    Read More
  • Costa Rica road project receives additional funding
    July 12, 2023
    A key Costa Rican road project is receiving additional funding.
    Read More
  • Chile highway link faces future issues
    January 24, 2017
    Chile’s busy Route 68 between capital Santiago and the country’s main port of Valparaiso faces an uncertain future. The 110km highway carries heavy traffic volumes and is close to its capacity of 4,500 vehicles/hour at peak periods, with extensive works required to improve the route. The work to upgrade Route 68 is expected to cost up to US$170 million, with eight sections of the highway in particular need of attention. The tender process for the upgrade work will open shortly. The Chilean Government opt
    Read More
  • New Zealand’s Waterview project is moving closer to completion
    December 13, 2016
    New Zealand’s biggest road project is less than a year away from completion, and a lot of progress has been made since World Highways last looked at the project two years ago - Mary Searle Bell reports New Zealand’s Waterview project is moving closer to completion and will be the largest road project in the country. The NZ$2 billion Western Ring Route will see the creation of an alternative motorway to State Highway 1, which runs through the centre of Auckland. The 47km-long motorway will allow a large p
    Read More

Highlighted Content