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

  • Italian firms’ more global vision
    February 22, 2013
    At a diminished Asphaltica exhibition, many of Italy’s asphalt sector companies spoke of the importance of overseas markets. Kristina Smith spoke to some of the firms seeking export success. Italy’s 6th Asphaltica show, held in Padua in November last year, provided a snapshot of the challenging economic conditions faced by the country. 2012 was the year when Italy felt the impact of the economic crisis which many other European countries had already suffered. Reflecting this, the exhibition was half the siz
  • Italy road tunnel project excavated
    July 9, 2018
    Italy’s A3 Highway is being upgraded, which will improve transport between Salerno and Calabria. Upgrading Italy’s A3 highway is of prime importance for developing the south of the country and is a project that has been prioritised for construction. The A3 Salerno-Reggio-Calabria highway is a non-toll road managed by ANAS, Italy’s state-owned company that constructs and maintains highways. The route runs a total of 443km, with the road having originally been built between 1966 and 1974. However, the origina
  • Chile's road safety drive
    February 23, 2012
    In Chile a serious accident has triggered a major assessment of existing safety regulations.
  • Pöyry picks up tunnel project on Switzerland’s A2 motorway
    August 18, 2016
    The Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) has awarded Poyry detailed engineering planning work for the upgrading of operational and safety equipment in two major tunnels on the A2 motorway. The A2 forms the main north-south motorway in Switzerland, connecting Basel with Chiasso. The Schänzli and Hagnau tunnels have been in operation for four decades and are being completely refurbished. Pöyry has already been handling the structural measures and ventilation systems in the tunnels, said Marcel Winter,