Chile highway construction works planned

The Chilean Government is planning a series of major highway projects with the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) managing the works. The plans call for 14 concessions worth a total of US$3.74 billion to be awarded by January 2018. The second stage of Americo Vespucio Oriente highway (AVO 2) is costing $800 million and is a priority project. This has been delayed already and opening of the route is now expected for 2022. Five regional highways are also opening for tender, including the Ruta G-21 road link, whic
May 12, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The 968 Chilean Government is planning a series of major highway projects with the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) managing the works. The plans call for 14 concessions worth a total of US$3.74 billion to be awarded by January 2018. The second stage of Americo Vespucio Oriente highway (AVO 2) is costing $800 million and is a priority project. This has been delayed already and opening of the route is now expected for 2022. Five regional highways are also opening for tender, including the Ruta G-21 road link, which was also delayed.


And design study has been carried out for the upgrade of the road between La Serena and Vicuna. The plans call for the route to widened, with twin lanes in either direction. The existing route is proving unable to cope with the current traffic load and has serious structural issues. The Coquimbo area will also see preparatory works for the Agua Negra tunnel project, which will connect Chile with Argentina. The tunnel should take 10 years to complete.

Meanwhile the tender process for the Camino de la Fruta road project will now open in July 2017, although it was originally intended to commence in April 2017. The contract for the $600 million road project will be awarded before the current administration leaves office in March 2018.

Road Structures

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Chilean Government develops secondary road investment scheme
    October 30, 2013
    A new programme of works in Chile will see major maintenance being carried out on the country’s extensive network of secondary roads. The plans have been set out by the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) and the works will be offered under a new concession framework that is planned to be announced in the first quarter of 2014. The works will require up to 30% of the MOP's annual budget, some US$594 million. Meanwhile MOP has also signed a deal with the highway operator Autopista de Aconcagua. This will see upgr
    Read More
  • Tunnels and bridges, improving Argentina's major road link
    May 2, 2012
    A road improvement plus tunnel and bridge building contract in an area once inhabited by dinosaurs in northern Argentina, is a small but key part of an ambitious project to complete a road that will eventually link the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Latin America - Adriana Potts reports. Remote, rough and spectacular are words that come to mind when describing the mountains of Ischigualasto in Argentina's northern province of San Juan This is the only place in the world where an undisturbed sequence of rock
    Read More
  • Tunnels and bridges, improving Argentina's major road link
    April 24, 2012
    A road improvement plus tunnel and bridge building contract in an area once inhabited by dinosaurs in northern Argentina, is a small but key part of an ambitious project to complete a road that will eventually link the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Latin America - Adriana Potts reports. Remote, rough and spectacular are words that come to mind when describing the mountains of Ischigualasto in Argentina's northern province of San Juan This is the only place in the world where an undisturbed sequence of rock
    Read More
  • Chile-Argentina tunnel project moving ahead
    June 26, 2014
    So far 18 companies have been registered as eligible for tenders in the Agua Negra Tunnel project, which will link Argentina with Chile. The tender process is commencing for the project in the second half of 2014. The new tunnel will provide a better alternative to existing routes connecting the two countries through the Andes Mountain range at present. One of the existing routes is through a high mountain pass, which is frequently blocked due to poor weather while being unsuitable for heavy vehicles. The o
    Read More

Highlighted Content