Minister López announces 50% progress on the Chacao Bridge

Statement from the Public Works MInistry of Chile

This press release was published in English using an automatic translation system

Within the framework of the historic session of the Public Works, Transportation and Telecommunications Committee of the Chamber of Deputies held in Chiloé, the Minister of Public Works , Jessica López, led a technical visit to the Chacao Bridge, during which she verified that the construction work had reached 50% completion.

The MOP authority highlighted the significance of this emblematic initiative for national engineering, which will be completed in the second half of 2028 with an associated investment of $800 million.

"The bridge over the Chacao Canal is the largest project the ministry has ever undertaken. Yesterday we had a monthly meeting with the Ministerial Advisory Council to monitor the bridge, and we confirmed to the community that the bridge's completion date, according to the new schedule, is October 2028 and that the final budget will be $800 million," the Secretary of State explained.

Project manager Carlos Contreras was present at the advisory council and presented the contract's progress and projections to the members. The meeting was also attended by Horacio Pfeiffer, National Director of Roads; Boris Olguín, Director General of Public Works; Juan Manuel Sánchez, Director General of Concessions ; Eliana Muñoz, MOP Attorney General; Governor Alejandro Santana; Presidential Delegate Paulina Muñoz; Hernán de Solminihac, former Minister of Public Works; and Juan Carlos Latorre, former Undersecretary.

The bridge over the Chacao Channel will permanently connect the mainland to the mainland of Chiloé via a 2.7-kilometer suspension structure, making it the longest bridge in the country and allowing crossing in about three minutes. Once completed, Chile will consolidate a road connection from Arica to Quellón, extending Route 5 by approximately 200 kilometers.

Minister López emphasized that the new infrastructure will bring many benefits, not only in terms of connectivity and integration, but will also significantly boost the development of tourism and the economy of the region, specifically the province of Chiloé. This importance has already been realized during the development of the project, with the participation of 1,150 workers.