Colombia key tunnel project – new completion date

A new completion date has been set for the La Linea Tunnel project in Colombia. The work should now be finished in late 2020, although the project was originally intended to be ready by late 2016. The various contracts to complete the Cruce de la Cordillera Central route will be awarded in April 2019 by the national road institute (Invias). The contracts will include strict measures to ensure that contractors will comply with all the terms of the deal. The Colombian Government previously allotted US$204.5 m
March 6, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

A new completion date has been set for the La Linea Tunnel project in Colombia. The work should now be finished in late 2020, although the project was originally intended to be ready by late 2016. The various contracts to complete the Cruce de la Cordillera Central route will be awarded in April 2019 by the national road institute (2812 Invias). The contracts will include strict measures to ensure that contractors will comply with all the terms of the deal. The Colombian Government previously allotted US$204.5 million to complete the work.

The project to build the tunnel has been plagued with problems and has suffered numerous delays, due to a wide range of reasons. The geology of the tunnel route was far more challenging than had been originally envisaged, requiring changes to the construction methods used. Firms previously working on the project have also suffered from shortages of financing, resulting in further delays and halts to progress.

Measuring 8.6km in length, the tunnel will be one of the longest in Latin America when complete. Challenges to its construction have also included the altitude of the portals, with the western end at 2,420m and the eastern end at 2,505m. The tunnel will replace a mountain pass that is not able to cope safely with the volumes of traffic it currently has to handle as it is too narrow and has too many sharp curves, as well as having insufficient capacity.

Road Structures

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Successful talks for Chile-Argentina tunnel
    August 28, 2014
    Successful talks have been held between Chile and Argentina with regard to the Agua Negra Tunnel that will link the two countries. The project looks set to cost US$1.37 billion to construct, according to Business News Americas. The majority of the planned route, 72%, lies in Argentina and the country will provide the bulk of the funding required; some $986 million. Chile will provide the remaining $384 million. The agreement was struck between the Publics Works Ministries of the two countries. Further detai
    Read More
  • Tunnel breakthrough for new Auckland link in New Zealand
    October 8, 2014
    Auckland’s Western Ring Route project update - Mary Bell writes. A number of integrated projects in Auckland, New Zealand, will improve the lot of road users and cyclists, and significantly alter the topography of the city’s motorway. On September 29th the tunnel boring machine digging the first of twin road tunnels beneath the city broke into daylight after 10 months underground. The new 2.4km-long Waterview tunnels will connect the city’s Northwestern and Southwestern motorways, each carrying three lane
    Read More
  • Major UK tunnel project proposed
    August 19, 2016
    The UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) has put forward five alternate route options for a new highway connecting the cities of Manchester and Sheffield. The project looks likely to include a major tunnel section measuring as much as 20-30km in length that would run under the Peak District. The aim of the project would be to cut journey times between the two cities as the existing transport routes are prone to peak period congestion and delays at present. The route would connect either the M60 or M67 motorw
    Read More
  • Stonehenge Tunnel controversy continues
    July 1, 2021
    The controversy continues over the UK’s proposed Stonehenge Bypass Tunnel.
    Read More

Highlighted Content