Skip to main content

Earthquake rocks Chilean highways

Chile's highway system has fared remarkably well considering the severity of the massive earthquake that struck the country a few days ago. This is a crucial factor in ensuring that emergency help, food and other aid can reach the worst affected area in the south of the country quickly. The Vespucio Norte highway collapsed and while the Costanera Norte route was slightly damaged, the Vespucio Sur and Autopista Central highways were unaffected.
May 31, 2012 Read time: 1 min
Chile's highway system has fared remarkably well considering the severity of the massive earthquake that struck the country a few days ago. This is a crucial factor in ensuring that emergency help, food and other aid can reach the worst affected area in the south of the country quickly.

The Vespucio Norte highway collapsed and while the Costanera Norte route was slightly damaged, the Vespucio Sur and Autopista Central highways were unaffected. Repairs to the worst affected highways, Vespucio Norte and Ruta 5 Sur, are expected to cost some US$200-250 million however. The repair work may take up to 6-8 months to carry out.

Related Content

  • Russian road-building industry on verge of massive cuts
    June 10, 2015
    Russia’s road building programme looks set to be cut due to economic issues - Eugene Gerden writes The Russian Government is considering a significant cut to the existing road building programme for the current year. This is due to a current economic crisis in the country, caused by Western sanctions as well as a collapse in the price of oil and gas.
  • Zimbabwe highway project linking with its neighbours
    November 28, 2016
    Zimbabwe’s Beitbridge to Chirundu highway link now looks set for a complete upgrade. The project has been planned for over 10 years but has faced a series of setbacks and delays, with funding having proved one of the biggest stumbling blocks in the past. The 897km highway runs from Beitbridge, located on the border with South Africa in the south of Zimbabwe all the way up to Chirundu, which is just over the border with Zambia in the north. The route includes part of the A4 highway in the south and the A1 hi
  • Chilean tenders provoke hot competition
    March 5, 2012
    Tenders for 12 major infrastructure projects with a total value close to US$8 billion are being announced in Chile.
  • 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