Chile's road safety drive

In Chile a serious accident has triggered a major assessment of existing safety regulations.
February 23, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
In Chile a serious accident has triggered a major assessment of existing safety regulations. The accident involved a collision between a coach and a truck. Although Chile's road network is expanding and the country's strong economy continues to fuel growth in vehicle ownership and use, the country's road safety record is not good. The accident killed 20 people on Chile's Autopista del Sol highway and has initiated a full assessment of existing road safety regulations in the country. 906 Chile's Ministry of Public Works (MOP) is also carrying out a safety assessment of the Autopista del Sol highway. To address the issue the Chilean Government is investing US$311 million in improving safety standards in routes five North and South; Autopista del Sol, route 68 and Los Libertadores road. The funds will be spent between 2010 and 2014. The Autopista del Sol highway has been allocated around $12 million of the funds. Meanwhile repair work on the Ruta 5 highway in central Chile is well on schedule. The repairs are being carried out to alleviate damage caused by the massive earthquake that struck Chile earlier this year and are presently around 58% complete. The Colombian highway operator 1311 ISA that holds the concession for this link is aiming to complete most of the repairs before the end of 2010, although one section will not be ready until January 2011.
Highway & Network Management

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Chile highways subject to negotiation
    July 13, 2016
    Key highway links in Chile are likely to see upgrading, although the operation of the links could change. The country’s Ministry of Public Works (MOP) is keen to see widening work for Ruta 68, a route currently operated by Abertis. However MOP has not revealed if it intends to buy back the Ruta 68 contract from the operator and then put the highway back out to tender, with the new deal then including the widening work. It may prove simpler to strike a new deal with Abertis that includes the necessary highwa
    Read More
  • Cost increases for major Chilean highway project
    November 15, 2013
    The cost of Chile’s Vespucio Oriente highway project is increasing, while its completion also looks set to be delayed. A 13% budget increase is now required due to additional costs from a number of factors such as urban landscaping, according to Business News Americas. The Américo Vespucio Oriente (AVO) expressway is being built in Chilean capital Santiago and was originally expected to cost in the region of US$940 million. However Chile’s Public Works Ministry, MOP, has said that the route will now cost so
    Read More
  • 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
    Read More
  • Chilean Government develops secondary road investment scheme
    October 30, 2013
    A new programme of works in Chile will see major maintenance being carried out on the country’s extensive network of secondary roads. The plans have been set out by the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) and the works will be offered under a new concession framework that is planned to be announced in the first quarter of 2014. The works will require up to 30% of the MOP's annual budget, some US$594 million. Meanwhile MOP has also signed a deal with the highway operator Autopista de Aconcagua. This will see upgr
    Read More

Highlighted Content