Chile launches US$900mn highway concession tender

Bidders will have until April 25 next year to submit offers for an estimated 20.7mn-UF (index-linked unit, US$931mn) concession for a 446km section of route 5, Chile’s main north-south highway.

The project involves widening and operating the stretch between the northern cities of Caldera and Antofagasta.

Other works include three new bridges, 20 pedestrian overpasses, 46km of road repairs, 43 turnarounds, 12km of service roads, and three links to access roads, documents from the public works ministry (MOP) show. 

The contract is expected to be awarded during the second half of 2025, while construction would start around the end of next year and wrap up in 2031. 

The full bidding documents will be available starting next week and can be purchased from MOP, a notice in the government’s official gazette says. More information can be seen here (in Spanish).

This project was originally presented to MOP’s concessions office by Sacyr Concesiones Chile as a private initiative in 2013. 

Under local regulations, if Sacyr chooses to participate in the tender it will have an advantage in the offer evaluation stage.