MOP exceeds 5 billion dollars in projects tendered through Concessions during the government of President Boric

Press release from the Ministry of Public Works of Chile

This is an automated translation of the original press release issued in Spanish

The Ministry of Public Works announced this morning the publication of the call for tenders for three new concession projects for the country. These are the initiative for Public Transport Corridors for Route 160 in Concepción (MM USD 198.6); the Public Transport Corridors for Route 150 and the Concepción Talcahuano Highway (MM USD 199.4), and the upcoming call for tenders for the new Copiapó prison , which includes an investment of 320 million dollars. In total, there are 718 million dollars to contribute to the economic reactivation of Chile.

With this, the Minister of Public Works, Jessica López, reported that “these new projects allow us to surpass the 5 billion dollars granted to date during the government of President Gabriel Boric. From the General Directorate of Concessions we have managed these important initiatives that can be realized to the extent that we have this modality of operation of public-private partnership. As you know, the portfolio of projects that we have today and the demands that we have throughout all the regions are enormous, therefore, many years ago we resorted to the creation of this system of Concessions that, to our joy, continues to yield results.”

The list of 11 initiatives that have been put out to tender to date during the government are 3 sections of Route 5 (Santiago - Los Vilos; Temuco - Río Bueno and Caldera - Antofagasta); the Northern Airport Network (Atacama and Antofagasta) and the Araucanía airport; the northern access to Concepción and the Ruta Pie de Monte; the prisons in Talca and Copiapó and the electric corridors on routes 150 and 160 in the Biobío region.

For his part, the General Director of Concessions, Juan Manuel Sánchez, explained: “The public transport corridors in Greater Concepción double the capacity of an exclusive lane, which is already a fairly well-established transport system in the city. This will allow travel times to be reduced since they will be exclusive lanes for public transport. This is a commitment to a smarter city and for the first time public transport projects are being implemented through the tool of concessions. More importantly, these projects translate into concrete measures such as job openings, as they are generating around 40,000 jobs every month in the country.”

Likewise, the Undersecretary of Public Works, Danilo Núñez, stressed that “for us this public-private partnership is not just an investment, it is not just iron and cement, but rather improving the quality of life of each and every Chilean man and woman throughout our country, generating employment, which is very important for development, and ratifying the commitment of each of the regions to continue advancing in investment and thus boost the economy.”

Details of the new projects tendered:

Public transport corridors for Route 160 in Concepción

The project involves the development of approximately 14 kilometers of public transport corridor.   two-way, located in the center of Route 160, transforming it into an urban road with explicit facilities for public transportation, giving continuity to the Coronel and San Pedro de la Paz corridors.

The Project's route corresponds to the section of Route 160 located between Daniel Belmar Street, in the commune of San Pedro de la Paz, and the Escuadrón I Industrial Park, in the commune of Coronel.

It includes the development of bus stop platforms in the medians that separate the corridor from the external roads for private vehicles, which are also part of the development of the axis.

Likewise, level crossings with the railway will be regularized; pedestrian crossings, bus stops and three grade changes will be created to connect Route 160 with the coastal edge in the Michaihue, Carlos Pezoa Véliz and Escuadrón sectors. In addition, a two-way bicycle path is being considered on the western side of the roads and pedestrian sidewalks on both sides of the route.

Route 150 and Concepción Talcahuano Highway (Section II)

  The project involves the development of approximately 9.3 kilometers of bidirectional public transport corridors, located in the center of the axis of Route 150 and the Concepción – Talcahuano Highway, section II.

The layout of the Project corresponds to the section of the existing Route 150, between the General Bonilla Roundabout to the Penco junction in the Penco commune, to Section II of the Concepción - Talcahuano Highway, which extends from the Bernardo O'Higgins road junction to the connection with the Paicaví and Av. Alonso de Ribera axes.

It includes the creation of bus stop platforms in the medians that separate the corridors from the external roads for private vehicles, which are also part of the creation of the axes, pedestrian sidewalks on both sides and cycle paths. On Route 150, the Project regularizes level crossings, creates pedestrian crossings, bus stops and a grade-separated passage between Route 150 and the entrance to the Cosmito sector.

On the Concepción – Talcahuano Highway, Section II, the Project buryes the private transport roads in the section of the El Trébol Mall, generates pedestrian crossings, bus stops and redesigns the connections with the O'Higgins Link, Av. Alessandri Link and Paicaví – Alonso de Ribera.

New Copiapó Prison

The new facility will be located on state-owned land adjacent to Route 5 Norte, approximately 40 kilometers northwest of the city of Copiapó and 14 kilometers south of the Atacama Desert airport, in the region of the same name.

The architectural proposal includes a total area of approximately 76,600 m2, with an estimated capacity of 2,160 persons deprived of liberty, in 15 detention modules.

The project includes the construction of the New Penitentiary Establishment; the maintenance and preservation of the infrastructure and the provision of basic services, including penitentiary services, mandatory special services and complementary services, if applicable.