Chilean highway upgrades

RSSIn Chile the Colombian highway operator 1311 ISA will carry out comprehensive repairs to Ruta 5 before the end of 2010. The company has been criticised by Chile’s Ministry for Public Works (MOP) for constant delays to road repair works following February's earthquake. The MOP threatened ISA with legal action, which prompted the new repair schedule being announced. Meanwhile work is commencing on the construction of 200km of highway near the northern city of Antofagasta in a project worth around US$320 million. The work is being carried out by the concession holder for the Ruta 5 highway, Autopistas de Antofagasta. The upgrade will link Ruta 5 to Ruta 1 at Mejillones with a new dual carriageway, and will help the local infrastructure cope with the increasing number of heavy trucks passing through the region. Antofagasta is an important centre for Chile’s copper mining industry, which plays a major role in its strongly growing economy. Work on all three phases of the project should be completed by the second half of 2013.