Skip to main content

Delays have hit Chile’s Chacao Bridge project

Delays now look likely to affect the construction programme for Chile’s Chacao Bridge project. The US$740 million bridge project, long in planning, has been delayed on previous occasions for a number of reasons. The tolled link will connect Chiloé Island with the Chilean mainland in its Region X once complete. This 2.6km link will become South America’s largest suspension bridge although its opening will reduce journey times considerably over 25-45 minutes taken by the ferries used at present to link with C
August 28, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Delays now look likely to affect the construction programme for Chile’s Chacao Bridge project. The US$740 million bridge project, long in planning, has been delayed on previous occasions for a number of reasons. The tolled link will connect Chiloé Island with the Chilean mainland in its Region X once complete. This 2.6km link will become South America’s largest suspension bridge although its opening will reduce journey times considerably over 25-45 minutes taken by the ferries used at present to link with Chiloé Island over the Chacao Channel. According to Chile's public works ministry, MOP, has moved back the tender process for the project towards the end of 2013.

The concession should be awarded in early 2014 with construction work itself commencing in 2015 and the structure opening to traffic in 2019. Eight consortia pre-qualified for the tender process. These are: Isei Joint Venture, Constructora Puente Chacao (CPC), 3959 Sacyr Samsung 3220 Parsons Puente Chacao, Consorcio Puelche, China Railwaygroup Limited, 3366 China Road and Bridge Corporation, Consorcio Cai Cai Vilu and Consorcio 1511 OAS-236 Hyundai-5549 Systra-Aas Jakobsenv.

Work on the bridge was original supposed to start in 2007 with its opening planned for 2012. However, a substantial increase in the costs estimated by the project team of designer and contractor showed that the price would exceed the limit imposed by the 968 Chilean Government. The project was cancelled, prompting an outcry from those on the island and was then revived in 2009 as a fall in the cost of steel made it economically feasible once more.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Planned tunnel in India sees delays
    March 4, 2016
    The planning process for a major tunnel project in India now looks set to be delayed. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) cancelled the bid process for the US$1.46 billionn Zozila tunnel project on National Highway 1 in Jammu & Kashmir. IRB Infrastructure Developers in India had previously received a letter of award (LoA) to perform construction, operation and maintenance on the tunnel on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer (annuity) basis. No reason was given for the cancellation
  • A key expressway project is due in Nepal
    July 26, 2012
    The Nepalese Government plans to open a key expressway project to tender. The Ministry of Physical Planning works and Transport Management is inviting bidders to show their interest in the construction of the Kathmandu-Nijgadh-Pathlaiya Terai/Madesh Expressway project. This new road link is intended to be offered under a PPP/BOT model. The 76km expressway is expected to cost US$853 million to construct. A feasibility study has been carried out and the expressway will be designed to meet the Class – A Catego
  • Pre-stressed bridge decks use modular formwork system
    July 9, 2012
    Imaginative formwork, often using modular components, is helping to shape some challenging bridges worldwide. Patrick Smith reports Traffic volumes in and around Prague have swollen massively in recent years, pushing the existing road network to the limits of its capacity. To permanently ease congestion in the Czech capital's centre, a multi-lane orbital motorway is under construction as a high capacity bypass for central Prague and to link up all the motorways and other major highways radiating from the ci
  • UK Government announcing new road widening programme
    November 11, 2014
    The UK Government looks set to announce a major programme of road widening and improvement work. In all some €19.1 billion (£15 billion) is planned to be invested in around 100 large road projects. One of the key projects planned is for a new tunnel on the A303, close to the famous Stonehenge site. The tunnel will measure up to 2.9km long and will carry four lanes of traffic past the Stonehenge site. This tunnel has been proposed and cancelled on a number of previous occasions and has long been recognised a