Skip to main content

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.

Related Content

  • Recycled aggregates report released
    January 24, 2019
    A new report highlights the importance of recycled aggregates for the global construction market. The report has been compiled by research specialist Fact.Mr and shows that prospects remain bullish for the recycled construction aggregates market. According to the report, there were sales of recycled aggregates in excess of over 3.7 million tonnes estimated in 2018, with a 5% growth expected for 2019. The report highlights that the recycled construction aggregates market is influenced by various factors, ra
  • Chilean bridge project to Chiloe Island delayed
    October 31, 2018
    Delays to the project to construct Chile’s Chacao Bridge mean that an additional two years may be required for the work. The work is now being carried out solely by a consortium, Consorcio Puente Chacao, headed by the South Korean contractor Hyundai.
  • AEM leaders’ set agenda for boosting manufacturing jobs and lift U.S. economy
    March 1, 2013
    Two senior U.S. construction equipment industry figures have called for action on priority policies to create manufacturing jobs and expand the American economy. Speaking during the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) ‘state of the industry policy update’ press conference, 2013 AEM chair and Caterpillar Group president Stu Levenick and AEM president Dennis Slater said the Association’s agenda in dealings with Government was focussed on improving transport and transport infrastructure, energy infras
  • Australia roads alliance
    April 16, 2012
    A huge infrastructure programme is being planned at present for the Australian state of Queensland With an annual growth rate of around 3.2%, Queensland is the fastest growing state in Australia and has been for over a decade. The State attracts an average of 1,500 new permanent residents each week, 1,000 of whom move to the South East corner.