Chile’s highway plans crucial for economy

Chile’s highway development programme is crucial to the country’s future economic growth. That is the finding of a study by the OECD. According to the report, a 27% increase in highway development is required around Chile’s around cities and ports by 2030. This is because Chile's economy relies heavily on exports. However, a possible hold-up could come from delays facing key highway projects at present. In particular, delays due to environmental assessments are holding back progress with three transport lin
May 19, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

Chile’s highway development programme is crucial to the country’s future economic growth. That is the finding of a study by the OECD. According to the report, a 27% increase in highway development is required around Chile’s around cities and ports by 2030. This is because Chile's economy relies heavily on exports. However, a possible hold-up could come from delays facing key highway projects at present. In particular, delays due to environmental assessments are holding back progress with three transport link projects. The projects have already been awarded to concessionaires. Work on the US$870 million Americo Vespucio Oriente highway has been delayed for 37 months as the project has yet to receive an environmental permit. Work on the $130 million New Industrial Bridge over the Biobío River has been delayed by 28 months while work on the $120 million El Melon Tunnel has been delayed by 10 months. The Chilean Chamber of Construction (CChC) has voice its criticisms of the environmental assessment process as it does not have any specific time limits. Instead the CChC has called for better coordination between State bodies.

Finance & Funding

Related Content

  • Chile’s road development work continues
    February 6, 2018
    Chile’s ambitious road development programme is continuing. Work is starting on the Americo Vespucio Oriente (AVO 1) highway project. This is expected to cost US$926 million and will provide an improved connection from the El Salto area to Principe de Gales. The work should be completed in the second half of 2021. However a number of complaints have been made with regard to the project, which could delay the timeframe once more. The project was originally due to open for traffic in 2020. Meanwhile Chile’s
    Read More
  • New highway tender for Chile’s capital
    July 26, 2013
    The tender process is commencing for the Américo Vespucio Oriente expressway (AVO) in Chilean capital Santiago. The US$940 million tender is due to be awarded in February 2014. The 9km highway link will connect El Salto with Príncipe de Gales Avenue and will feature three lanes running in either direction, with a design speed of 80-100km/h. An underground section of this urban highway looks likely to be constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) while it may also include a section in an ope
    Read More
  • Consortium constructing challenging route in Chilean capital Santiago?
    January 29, 2014
    The concession package for the US$1.06 billion Américo Vespucio Oriente (AVO) expressway in Santiago, Chile looks set to be awarded to a consortium headed by OHL Concesiones Chile. OHL's proposal of a subsidy close to 20% of the project's cost beat Spanish group Cintra's bid, according to a report from Business News Americas. Of 15 companies that prequalified for the project, only OHL in an alliance with Sacyr Concesiones Chile and Cintra had submitted technical offers for the 40-year concession. Constructi
    Read More
  • Chile highway construction works planned
    May 12, 2017
    The Chilean Government is planning a series of major highway projects with the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) managing the works. The plans call for 14 concessions worth a total of US$3.74 billion to be awarded by January 2018. The second stage of Americo Vespucio Oriente highway (AVO 2) is costing $800 million and is a priority project. This has been delayed already and opening of the route is now expected for 2022. Five regional highways are also opening for tender, including the Ruta G-21 road link, whic
    Read More

Highlighted Content