Colombia continues tunnel plans

With work on Colombia's first La Linea tunnel still incomplete, discussions are now being held regarding plans for the second tunnel.
February 17, 2012 Read time: 1 min
With work on Colombia's first La Linea tunnel still incomplete, discussions are now being held regarding plans for the second tunnel. The country's roads administration body, 2812 Invias, estimates the second tunnel as being likely to cost US$407 million to construct. Work on the second link is planned to start in the next four years, although given the track record of the first tunnel, the project could take considerably longer. The first La Linea tunnel project has been hit by a series of serious delays including the discovery that the geology of the route was considerably worse than expected, requiring a major redesign, and a stoppage stemming from insurance problems. When complete the first tunnel will link Bogota with Buenaventura and the second tunnel will further boost capacity on the route. At present there is heavy congestion on the existing links between the two cities and journey times are long, while there are also concerns over safety for road users. Meanwhile Invias is planning other road projects including 207km of roads between Bogota and Buenaventura, with a total estimated cost of $945 million. A further $1.4 billion will be invested on the new highway linking Bogota with Cucuta.
Road Structures

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Further delays possible for Colombia tunnel
    July 21, 2016
    Further delays to completion look a possibility for Colombia’s La Linea Tunnel project. A strike by truck drivers meant that supplies of construction materials were halted, adding to previous delays. The country’s National Road Institute (Invias) has stated that work on the tunnel does not look likely to be finished until the first quarter of 2017. The project will only be completed before that date if faster progress can be achieved with the electro-mechanical works currently in hand. Invias has previously
    Read More
  • Solution found for Colombian tunnel project?
    March 12, 2015
    A solution seems to have been found for Colombia’s long-running La Linea Tunnel project. Work has been delayed on the tunnel for a number of reasons and on a number of occasions, most recently due to funding issues. But previous delays were due to such diverse causes as technical challenges posed by the difficult conditions and a lack of suitable insurance cover. The Colombian Government has come to an agreement with the Segundo Centenario consortium building the tunnel that will see construction activity r
    Read More
  • Colombia tunnel project conclusion plan
    December 6, 2016
    Tendering is commencing for the final portion of works to complete Colombia’s La Linea tunnel project. Around 12% of the work on the tunnel still has to be completed, with the work expected to cost US$68.5 million. The tender is being carried out by Colombia's National Road Institute (Invias). The tunnel project has been delayed for a series of reasons. Colombian contractor Constructora Carlos Collins was constructing the tunnel but did not meet the necessary deadline. As a result, Invias opted to open the
    Read More
  • Colombia’s La Linea Tunnel will be completed
    September 16, 2015
    Colombia's national road institute (Invias) has said that the La Linea tunnel project will open to traffic in 2017. The project has been delayed on several occasions and due to a variety of reasons, presenting a luckless and lengthy tale of woe for Colombia’s transport ministry. Early in its lifetime the project was held back by unexpected geological issues arising from more challenging ground conditions than had been initially realised. The project was also delayed by insurance problems for some of the fir
    Read More

Highlighted Content