SthAm's longest hwy tunnel reopens

The Las Raíces highway tunnel in Chile's Region IX, which is cataloged as South America's longest highway tunnel, has reopened following the completion of paving works, the public works ministry said. Company Ferrovial Agroman Chile is carrying out the 2.87bn-peso (US$5mn) improvement project, which is due to be completed by the southern hemisphere's spring. Works began in March of last year. The 4.5km, one-lane tunnel lies on the Pino Hachado international highway. Apart from paving, the project also includes drainage and lighting works, plus sealing interior filtrations. Studies have been carried out on a project to build a new, two-lane highway parallel to the existing one, but its concretion is pending increased traffic levels. Further, due to the project's 40bn-peso price tag, the ministry's plans are to put the project out to concession. Some 200 vehicles per day pass through the tunnel during the southern hemisphere's winter months and 400/d during the summer. The project would move forward when average traffic flows reach 400-500 vehicles/d.