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

  • Stonehenge Tunnel legal action launched
    December 1, 2020
    Legal action launched against the Stonehenge Tunnel project.
  • Indonesian road projects planned
    November 27, 2020
    Indonesian road projects are being planned.
  • Paraguay project agreement reached
    May 8, 2019
    An agreement has been reached for the projects to widen Route 2 and Route 7 in Paraguay by the various bodies involved. The Consorcio Rutas del Este joint venture partners have agreed terms with the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), UBS and the Ministries of Public Works and Communications and Finance. UBS is providing financing worth US$250 million while the IADB is providing $200 million. Consorcio Rutas del Este, which comprises Sacyr, Mota Engil and Ocho A, is providing $83 million meanwhile. Cons
  • Chile rules out proposal for a Santiago-Valparaiso route through La Dormida
    October 26, 2015
    Chile has shelved a proposal for a new road route between the inland capital of Santiago and the Pacific Ocean port of Valparaiso through the mountain called La Dormida. The new route, proposed by Grupo Costanera, would have needed a 68km tunnel through La Dormida. Chile’s Ministry of public works was considering a single investor for a package that would have included upgrades to the existing Route 68 between the two cities and also a new route. However, these two projects will remain separate and be