Chilean bridge will need new contractor

The Chilean housing and urban development ministry (MINVU) has terminated the construction contract for a cable-stayed bridge in southern Araucanía region (IX). The consortium in charge, Paicavi, had already abandoned the work and dismissed workers, due to "economic insolvency" within its constituent companies.

The 47bn peso (US$74mn) bridge had been under construction, but had suffered several delays, including a partial stop work caused by a conflict between the concessionaire and a sub-contractor. Chile's comptroller detected various flaws in the construction of the structure, which was originally due to be finished in October of last year.

The head of the Araucanía branch of the MINVU, Romina Tuma, told radio station Biobío the Paicavi has "a significant insolvency problem that has prevented it" from continuing the project.

As for the future of the bridge, the official said that the resources are available and that a new company would be hired to finish the works, although she clarified that the Araucania MINVU is still deciding whether to launch a new tender or to directly hire a constructor.

The "Treng Treng y Kay Kay" bridge is the first cable-stayed bridge in Chile and is part of a wider effort to reduce traffic levels on the route between the regional capital Temuco and neighboring Padre Las Casas municipality.

Works include installing a 240m long bridge that would cross the Cautín River and the complete renovation of road access to two other bridges that cross the river.