EIS submitted for US$370mn Talca bypass in central Chile

Work on a US$371mn bypass around Chile’s Maule region capital Talca is expected to begin in May 2026 and wrap up within 50 months, according to an environmental impact study submitted by concessionaire Sociedad Concesionaria Ruta 5 Talca-Chillán

The works, which are part of a 19.2mn-UF (index-linked unit, US$759mn) concession contract awarded in March 2021, entail a 55.8km bypass on Chile’s backbone route 5 highway, about 250km south of Santiago.

The stretch would link the municipalities of Río Claro, San Rafael, Pelarco, Talca, San Clemente, Maule, San Javier and Villa Alegre.

Other works include 12 links to other roads, seven intersections, eight bridges, two rail overpasses, 40 bus stops and one pedestrian bridge.

The full EIS submitted to environmental review service SEA can be read here (in Spanish).

The concession involves operating and upgrading a 195km stretch of route 5 between Talca and Ñuble region capital Chillán.