Skip to main content

Chile-Argentina Agua Negra Tunnel latest news

Interest is strong in the project to build the Agua Negra Tunnel, which will connect Chile and Argentina. So far 10 consortia have been pre-selected to enter the bidding process for the project. However Ebitan, the joint Chilean/Agentinian commission with responsibility for the project has said it will not release the names of the consortia that have been pre-selected until November 2017 instead.
September 28, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Interest is strong in the project to build the Agua Negra Tunnel, which will connect Chile and Argentina. So far 10 consortia have been pre-selected to enter the bidding process for the project. However Ebitan, the joint Chilean/Agentinian commission with responsibility for the project has said it will not release the names of the consortia that have been pre-selected until November 2017 instead. The 10 consortia comprise 26 contractors from countries including Argentina, Chile, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Up to US$1.5 billion of the funding required will be provided by the IADB.

The Agua Negra Tunnel will provide a much needed link between the two countries. At present drivers have the choice of an existing tunnel or a mountain pass. However the tunnel lies at altitude and is often blocked in winter. The mountain pass is narrow and has very twisty connecting roads of questionable safety meaning that it is not suitable for heavy vehicles, while it is even more likely to be blocked by snow in winter.

Related Content

  • Key Chilean connections
    November 27, 2012
    Strong interest is being shown in the construction sector in Chile for the project to build the Chacao Bridge. The tender process is due to open in the first half of 2013 and a large number of contractors, over 30, have already acquired terms and conditions of the works package. The construction project is expected to cost US$740 million. Bidding is expected to close in early 2014 and the winner will be selected and the contract awarded. Work should start in 2015 and the completion date will be in 2019. A
  • El Sillar – Bolivia’s challenging road project
    February 6, 2020
    Construction of Bolivia’s El Sillar highway, the country’s most complicated road project – Mauro Nogarin reports
  • Czech construction road tender attracts strong interest
    February 13, 2017
    A highway construction project in the Czech Republic is attracting strong interest, with 10 bids having been received during the tender process. The project is being managed by the state-owned road management firm RSD and is worth €255.21 million. The work involves building a 10 km stretch of the D1 connecting Prerov with Rikovice and this will be the largest road tender in the Czech Republic during 2017. According to RSD, the bids have largely come from consortia that combine large foreign contractors with
  • India’s longest tolled expressway is open to traffic
    January 2, 2013
    Earlier this year, a new expressway was opened to traffic in India, adding connectivity to the country’s road network - Mike Woof reports. India’s economic growth has fuelled a massive construction boom in the country. Road building has been set as a priority by the Indian Government to help ensure continued economic development and improve connectivity between major population centres. One major new expressway has recently opened to traffic, having been designed to international standards and provides insi