Chile govt tries to save US$235mn hospital concession

Talks are underway to resolve a dispute over the design of a hospital for La Serena in Chile’s Coquimbo region.

The dispute could lead to the termination of the 6.15mn UF (index-linked units, US$235mn) contract, according to concessionaire Acciona. 

Local media reported that Acciona claimed it reached a preliminary agreement with the public works ministry (MOP), according to which the hospital’s area would increase from around 120,330m2 to 134,000m2, as defined in the first pre-investment study.

Acciona, which also wants 690,000UF more for the increase, claimed it began work on the definitive architecture plans, but the ministry backed out of the agreement in December, Diario El Día reported, quoting a communication the concessionaire sent to the ministry.

In response, the regional government representative, Paulina Mora, said the contract remains valid and that talks are ongoing. 

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Bolivia’s senate president Andrónico Rodríguez refused to schedule votes on five of seven bills related to multilateral loans, requesting more information.

But Rodriguez sent two bills, involving funds for the paving of route 725 and a section of the La Paz-Oruro highway, to senate committees.

The lower house approved six of the bills, involving over US$776mn in funding, between February 22 and March 1 amid physical altercations and bribery accusations. Another bill was approved years ago.

Farm workers association Csutcb is preparing a vigil in front of congress to pressure the senate and get the bills approved, daily Urgente reported.

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Locals of Uruguay’s Canelones department sent a letter to President Luis Lacalle Pou, expressing their opposition to an US$80mn, 30km highway due to potentially negative effects on water sources that serve 150,000 users. 

The public works ministry told news outlet Telenoche in January that the highway will connect Carrasco airport and an intersection between routes 8 and 9 to alleviate traffic on the Interbalnearia highway between Montevideo and Punta del Este.