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

  • Major plans for Chilean infrastructure development
    March 14, 2014
    A major plan for infrastructure is being put forward for Chile. Chile's Construction chamber (CChC) has presented a plan for some US$40 billion in infrastructure improvements to the new Chilean Government. The CChC has highlighted the concession model as being the most effective tool for encouraging private investment in infrastructure. The CChC suggests that Chile has a critical need for infrastructure development, but a serious shortfall of public funds according to a report by Business News Americas. Roa
  • Chilean highway tender process opening
    March 5, 2012
    Chile will see the tendering process for four major highway projects open during 2011. These will feature a total value of US$1.85 billion. The project data will be released by the Chilean Ministry for Public Works (MOP). The projects themselves include the $1.17 billion Americo Vespucio Oriente highway concession. The tender for this highway project will be launched during the second half of 2011, with the work itself scheduled for completion in 2016. Other projects include the Rutas del Loa (II Region) fo
  • Norway drops tender plans for second Sotra fixed link
    February 18, 2019
    Statens Vegvesen, the Norwegian Road Administration, has cancelled tender plans for a new Sotra fixed link project that were scheduled for the spring. Jon Georg Dale, minister of transport, recently told the Norwegian Parliament that the geology near Lake Storavatnet along the route of the project, of which the second bridge would be a part, has caused concern among planners. Also, reconstruction of a high-voltage power cable has come under questions. Helge Eidsnes, a regional manager of Statens Vegve
  • Extra funding worth €370 million found for Italian bridge project
    December 8, 2023
    Extra funding worth €370 million is being provided for a key Italian bridge project.