Deal reached to restart highway project in Colombia

Colombia's infrastructure agency ANI and concessionaire Union del Sur reached an agreement to unfreeze funds and restart construction of the Pasto-Rumichaca highway, according to a press release.

"The Ipiales indigenous community has voiced its opposition to the development of the project and to the installation of a toll station at Ipiales, which is considered indispensable for the financing of the object in the concession contract," ANI's statement said.

As part of the agreement, ANI and Union del Sur defined a 24-month period during which the concessionaire will negotiate with the indigenous community to obtain its approval for the station.

If that fails, the highway design will be modified along the stretch that affects the community's land.

Involving an investment of 2.3tn pesos (US$791mn), and part of the 4G highways program, the Pasto-Rumichaca concession entails the construction and operation of 74km of a two-lane highway between Ipiales and Pasto, six road intersections, 2.4km of tunnels and 3.6km of bridges.