Colombia investing in new highways

Colombia's national infrastructure agency (ANI) has prequalified 10 companies for its US$770 million highway project Autopista al Mar 2. This new route will improve connections in western Antioquia department between Medellín and the Pacific coast, according to Business News Americas. The project is for the operation and maintenance of 176km of highways, as well as the construction of 41 bridges and 19 tunnels. Among the companies prequalified are Spain's 3959 Sacyr, 930 Cintra, 976 Acciona and 980 OHL, France's 5177 Vinci, and Peru's Graña y Montero. Colombia is in the process of awarding 40 projects to improve its roads. The government expects some 3-6% of GDP will go towards infrastructure investments by 2016, compared to the current 1.5%. ANI plans to award at least 25 highway projects in 2014.