Skip to main content

Solution found for Colombian tunnel project?

A solution seems to have been found for Colombia’s long-running La Linea Tunnel project. Work has been delayed on the tunnel for a number of reasons and on a number of occasions, most recently due to funding issues. But previous delays were due to such diverse causes as technical challenges posed by the difficult conditions and a lack of suitable insurance cover. The Colombian Government has come to an agreement with the Segundo Centenario consortium building the tunnel that will see construction activity r
March 12, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
RSSA solution seems to have been found for Colombia’s long-running La Linea Tunnel project. Work has been delayed on the tunnel for a number of reasons and on a number of occasions, most recently due to funding issues. But previous delays were due to such diverse causes as technical challenges posed by the difficult conditions and a lack of suitable insurance cover.

The Colombian Government has come to an agreement with the Segundo Centenario consortium building the tunnel that will see construction activity recommence, according to Business News Americas. The US$363 million project has been the focus for major negotiations between both parties over the last few months while a solution has been searched for. Earlier this year, work stalled and the consortium faced having its contract cancelled by the state road authority 2812 Invias. Meanwhile the consortium members were told they could face a ban from working on any state tenders for a five year period.

The Segundo Centenario consortium comprises 11 firms: Condux, Constructora Herreña Fronpeca Colombia, Álvarez y Collins, Constructora Carlos Collis, Constructora Montecarlo Vías, Túneles de Colombia, Construirte, Gaico Ingenieros Constructores, H&H Arquitectura and Feluca.

This new compromise deal means that the consortium has to complete the tunnel by the end of November 2016. An additional $125 million is being provided to pay for the completion work. The 8.5km tunnel will link Colombia’s capital Bogota with the country’s main port, Buenaventura, and was originally planned for completion by November 2014. The tunnel is around 75% complete and the project also includes the construction of a 24km highway. When the route is finished it will cut journey times for commuters and also for the many heavy trucks driving between the port and Bogota, as well as improving safety over the existing road.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Strasbourg bypass surveys halted over environmental concerns
    September 27, 2017
    Further delays are looming for construction of the western Strasbourg bypass, a controversial toll motorway project in north eastern France. The government is concerned about environmental issues after Arcos, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Vinci responsible for building the bypass, said it was going to carry out field surveys in 1.5 hectares of what many consider environmentally sensitive areas.
  • Germany: Foreign users to pay toll
    June 23, 2015
    Foreign road users could be paying up to €130 (US$147) a year for using Germany's autobahn motorways starting in 2016. The plan was given the go-ahead by the German government last October but implementation could be delayed if it faces a legal challenge by European member states. Bavarian state transport minister Alexander Dobrindt said he was convinced that the draft law does not discriminate against foreign motorists, an issue if the law were to be challenged in any European court. He called the infras
  • Expanding the Panamericana Oestae Highway in Panama
    November 3, 2023
    Expansion of the Panamericana Oeste highway is an infrastructure project that will help guarantee the future of Panama - Mauro Nogarin writes
  • New Bolivian highway programme planned
    June 17, 2015
    Bolivia's state-owned road operator Administradora Boliviana de Carreteras (ABC) has an ambitious road building programme. This will see the construction of a further 3,172km of roads, of which almost 1,000km will be completed in 2015. The 1,000km of roads on track for completion comprise some 16 projects in seven departments. ABC has budgeted US$1.17 billion for its programme of works, an increase over the $995.4 million for the previous financial year.