Interest is strong in the project to build the 14km tunnel link between Chile and Argentina, with reports stating that 23 firms having expressed an interest in the work. The twin tube tunnel will connect Argentina’s San Juan Province with Chile’s Coquimbo Province (Region IV) and will be constructed in the Andes Mountains. The Agua Negra project is set to cost somewhere in the range from US$800 million to $1 billion, although the exact price of the project has yet to be determined. Some 72% of the link will lie in Argentina while the remaining 28% will be in Chile. Companies known to be interested in the project include four Spanish construction firms; 917 ACS, 976 Acciona, 4914 FCC and 980 OHL. Other companies interested include Brazilian firms 1305 Odebrecht and Queiroz Galvao, two Chinese groups, the Italian firms 3149 Impregilo and 1324 Astaldi, and Austrian firm 945 Strabag. The project is being managed under the auspices of the bi-national company Tunel de Agua Norte (Ebitan) and the tender process will open officially in early 2014.
Once the route is constructed it is expected to improve trade and traffic flow between Argentina and Chile. At present those vehicles travelling between Argentina and Chile in the area use another tunnel, or a high mountain pass. Access to the existing tunnel can be difficult in winter due to its altitude, while its capacity is not sufficient for the growing levels of traffic and trade between the two nations. The mountain pass is narrow and twisty and even more likely to be closed to traffic in winter, while it is not suitable for heavy vehicles.
Construction of the Agua Negra tunnel will be challenging as it will be built at some altitude, limiting the performance of both machines and personnel. Access to the site will not be easy as both ends of the planned route for the tunnel are in remote locations and will require temporary links to be built for the construction work to commence. In addition to the construction of the tunnel, the project will include upgrading around 50km of roads in Chile’s Region IV. The plans also include upgrading an airport in Region IV and improving routes 41, 43 and 45.
Once the route is constructed it is expected to improve trade and traffic flow between Argentina and Chile. At present those vehicles travelling between Argentina and Chile in the area use another tunnel, or a high mountain pass. Access to the existing tunnel can be difficult in winter due to its altitude, while its capacity is not sufficient for the growing levels of traffic and trade between the two nations. The mountain pass is narrow and twisty and even more likely to be closed to traffic in winter, while it is not suitable for heavy vehicles.
Construction of the Agua Negra tunnel will be challenging as it will be built at some altitude, limiting the performance of both machines and personnel. Access to the site will not be easy as both ends of the planned route for the tunnel are in remote locations and will require temporary links to be built for the construction work to commence. In addition to the construction of the tunnel, the project will include upgrading around 50km of roads in Chile’s Region IV. The plans also include upgrading an airport in Region IV and improving routes 41, 43 and 45.
