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

  • UK report suggests 30km Pennine tunnel with robotic maintenance
    December 2, 2015
    The UK could build one of Europe’s longest road tunnels as it considers route options for a new major link connecting the cities of Manchester and Sheffield in England. An interim report looking at how best to connect the cities suggested that the road could be between 40km-50km, depending on the route. It “will include a tunnelled section, which could range from between 20-30km, making it one of the longest road tunnels ever built”.
    Read More
  • Safer roads needed for the gig economy
    May 14, 2019
    Roads everywhere are becoming high-pressure workplaces for millions of gig economy workers, meaning traffic police need a new way to regulate how highways are used. Geoff Hadwick reports from Manchester, UK The way in which the world’s highways are designed, built and used needs to change fast as the gig economy becomes a global phenomenon. Millions of low-paid and badly-trained freelance drivers are now using road as their workplace, all of them working hard under huge amounts of pressure. The tren
    Read More
  • Chilean infrastructure projects being planned
    November 20, 2014
    In Chile plans are well in hand for a series of major infrastructure projects, with the work likely to help boost the country’s economy. The Ministry of Public Works in Chile (MOP) has announced that it will speed up the process for key infrastructure construction projects. Those projects involving investments of around US$1.10 billion should be approved by 11th March 2015. The Ministry of Public Works has indicated that three private concession contracts have already been approved, including the dual-carri
    Read More
  • A new transportation project for Northern Southeast Asia
    March 2, 2022
    Transport in Northern Southeast Asia is to benefit from a new US$145 million project
    Read More

Highlighted Content