Chile launches road information tender

The roadworks office of Chile’s public works ministry launched a 670mn-peso (US$783,000) studies tender to update information on the state of 1,580km of paved roads, which will feed into a five-year plan.

The study covers 117km in Antofagasta region, 92km in Atacama, 410km in Maule, 299km in Biobío, 336km in Araucanía, 104km in Magallanes, 106km in Santiago metropolitan region and 118km in Ñuble, according to tender documents.

Technical bids will be opened on August 22 and economic offers on August 29. Documents can be seen here, in Spanish.

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Paraguay’s public works ministry and truck drivers reached an agreement under which tolls for highway PY02 (pictured) will increase no more than 100% above the original price, according to a press release.

A 200% increase on Tuesday led to protests and road blockades. 

The widening of the highway is Paraguay’s first PPP. By mid-July, 122km of 150km covered in the US$550mn contract had been finished.

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The head of Bolivia’s roads agency (ABC), Henry Nina, is mulling stepping down to calm tensions within the ruling MAS party.

“We must work in an organic manner because I’m saddened that organizations want to split apart,” Nina told news outlet Unitel.

Over the past year, allies of former president Evo Morales targeted Nina, who is close to President Luis Arce. Previously allies, with Arce serving as finance minister in Morales’ administration, both leaders have fallen out. 

Nina faced bribery accusations related to the US$91mn Sucre-Yamparaez highway from a China Harbour Engineering Company executive. Prosecutors closed the probe last month and dismissed the allegations. 

If he steps down, Nina wants to help unify MAS-affiliated social organizations before the 2025 elections. If Arce seeks reelection, he might have to face Morales in a primary.