Chilean highway sale delayed, due to earthquake

The planned sale of the Autopista Central tolled highway in Chile is being delayed following the country's recent severe earthquake. The highway is owned at present by Swedish firm 2296 Skanska, which earlier announced that it would put the Autopista Central link on the market. An independent traffic study is being carried out at present but its final report has been delayed by 1-2 months. However Skanska still hopes to sell the highway during 2010. Meanwhile the sale of five Chilean highways by Spanish company 930 Cintra will be delayed until the end of 2010. Colombian firm 1311 ISA was intending to buy the highways but damage to the routes will cost some $150 million to repair and this factor is delaying the sale. The costs of repairing the damage is being assessed at present by the insurers.