Chile's Bicentenario bridge suffers another delay

The opening of Chile's Patricio Aylwin or Bicentenario bridge has been delayed again and the public works ministry (MOP) now expects to partially open the 28bn-peso (US$41mn) structure by July, two months after the previous date.

Speaking to daily El Sur, public works minister Juan Andrés Fontaine said MOP is still planning additional connections between the bridge and the road network of the city of Concepción, capital of south-central Biobío region, including a link to Chacabuco avenue, which would be the last stage of the project.

"The Bicentenario bridge is advancing. The last administrative resolution to connect with the Costanera road has been issued, and that will be completed soon," Fontaine said about the connection that had prompted the previous delay.

The 1.5km bridge, spanning the Biobío river, will have four lanes connecting San Pedro de la Paz with Concepción.

Work started in October 2010 by Spanish firm Copasa but the contract was terminated in 2015 due to delays. The following year, local company Besalco was awarded the contract to complete the bridge.

INDUSTRIAL BRIDGE

Fontaine also said the environmental evaluation service (SEA) will vote on the same region's so-called Industrial bridge on December 17, over a year after concessionaire Puente Industrial, owned by Aleatica, submitted the environmental impact study.

The minister said his office is reviewing the engineering studies for the US$180mn project.

The 2.5km, four lane bridge will cross the same river, connecting San Pedro de la Paz and Hualpén.