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

  • Strasbourg's tolled highway project moves ahead
    May 18, 2012
    Plans are moving forward in France for the beltway project around the city of Strasbourg. This tolled highway project is now expected to cost up to €756 million, compared with the original estimate of €400 million quoted during the call to tender in 2009. Vinci won the concession for the link. Should the project progress according to schedule, construction work could commence in 2013. The highway would then be opened to traffic in late 2016 or early 2017. The 24km highway is intended to features two lanes
  • Bridge of international accord from Russia-China
    May 29, 2018
    A new bridge project joining China and Russia is a sign of international accord between the two nations – Mike Woof writes A new bridge spanning what China calls the Heilongjiang River and which is known as the Amur River in Russia, is a clear sign of an important international accord between the two countries. Discussions over the bridge project were first started between China and Russia in the 1980s, with both nations seeing many changes in leadership since that time. But while the political discussion
  • Ship Canal Bridge project in Texas restarting
    December 10, 2021
    Work is restarting in Texas for the Ship Canal Bridge project.
  • Norwegians would build new bridge and tunnel links
    June 18, 2021
    Norway’s road transport network is changing radically as the country gears up for greater EV use as well as a gradual phasing out of its traditional ferry links