Colombia’s La Linea Tunnel completion in sight

The completion of Colombia’s long-running La Linea Tunnel project is now in sight, finally. Colombia’s president, Juan Manuel Santos, and vice president, German Vargas Lleras, made a joint announcement that the 8.65km long tunnel will be inaugurated in November 2016. The two tunnel drives (from Quindio and Tolima) have now met in the middle and only lining works are left to be completed. Once the tunnel is operational, it will enable trucks to complete the journey between Cajamarca (Tolima) and Calarca (Qui
May 7, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The completion of Colombia’s long-running La Linea Tunnel project is now in sight, finally. Colombia’s president, Juan Manuel Santos, and vice president, German Vargas Lleras, made a joint announcement that the 8.65km long tunnel will be inaugurated in November 2016. The two tunnel drives (from Quindio and Tolima) have now met in the middle and only lining works are left to be completed. Once the tunnel is operational, it will enable trucks to complete the journey between Cajamarca (Tolima) and Calarca (Quindio) in 35 minutes. This will be a significant reduction in time compared with the two hours and ten minutes required at present. Road safety will also be improved as the new route will feature shallower curves and gradients. The remaining excavation work should be completed in four months and then an additional geomembrane insulation layer will be installed. The project, developed by construction company Carlos Collins, will be finished on the date agreed by the contractor and the government, 30th November 2016. The Ministry of Transport has said that the company will also have to progress in its works at La Envidia and Perales viaducts, Alpes tunnel and Cafetal, Virgen Blanca and La Herradura II bridges. In addition, Carlos Collins will have to comply with the environmental conditions at La Gata and La Soledad faults and will need to implement filters and water drainage systems. The project has been delayed several times and for several reasons. However its completion will be of key importance to the country. Colombia’s other road projects have, for the most part, been carried out within, or at least close to, their original schedules however.
Road Structures

Related Content

  • Sandvik’s Turkish delight at groundbreaking tunnel vision
    May 20, 2014
    Turkey’s longest, and what will be the world’s fourth longest, highway tunnel is being built under Mount Ovit in the northeast of the country. Sandvik Construction is playing a vital role in the construction of the giant new structure, which will enable all-year-round access to what is a relatively remote and often snow-blocked part of Anatolia Having had their freedom of movement blighted for many years by wintertime snow blocking the D925 highway, along with narrower roads and passes, at Mount Ovit, resi
    Read More
  • Chilean bridge project to Chiloe Island delayed
    October 31, 2018
    Delays to the project to construct Chile’s Chacao Bridge mean that an additional two years may be required for the work. The work is now being carried out solely by a consortium, Consorcio Puente Chacao, headed by the South Korean contractor Hyundai.
    Read More
  • Colombia dual carriageways under construction
    October 10, 2016
    Colombia is currently working on major highway projects that will improve transport infrastructure in the country and form part of its 4G programme. The US$616.5 million Rumichaca-Pasto dual carriageway in Narino department will improve Colombia’s transport connections with neighbouring Ecuador, cutting journey times from two hours at present to just one hour. The project is being handled by a consortium, Consorcio SAC 4G and involves improving an 80km road section and building additional lanes for the 74km
    Read More
  • Colombian road project complete
    December 14, 2021
    A major new Colombian road project is now ready for use.
    Read More

Highlighted Content