Spotlight: Chile's US$4bn 2023 concessions agenda

Chile aims to launch tenders for 13 concession contracts worth US$3.9bn next year, which will include mobility projects such as cable cars and light rails, alongside highways and airports.

The government hasn’t launched any tender since taking office in March, only opening bids for contracts auctioned by the previous administration.

At the same time, authorities want to modify the concessions system to make it more sustainable and increase citizen participation.

Unlike previous agendas, the 2023 schedule doesn’t mention any dates “because there could be setbacks,” a source from the public works ministry told BNamericas.  

Major Projects

The largest project next year is the US$587mn route 5 Antofagasta-Caldera stretch. The contract entails the operation and widening of 470km of the country’s main north-south axis, between Antofagasta city and Caldera.

A tender for the US$470mn Valdivia access network is expected for 1Q23, Diario de Valdivia reported in September. The contract entails the operation and improvement of routes 202 (44km) and 206 (43km), which are the main accesses of Valdivia city in Los Ríos region.

The US$490mn contract for the route 5 Temuco-Río Bueno stretch covers the operation and improvement of 172km between both cities in Araucanía region and Los Ríos. Originally, the project included the Valdivia access network, but was later split into two concessions to reduce execution times.

The contract for the US$430mn Concepción north access entails the operation of a 75km access of the capital of Biobío region, plus 14km of branch roads.

Meanwhile, Santiago’s US$398mn airport light rail will be auctioned in the third quarter, news outlet Meganoticias reported. Originally a private initiative by Engie, it consists of a 12km light rail line with eight stations that will link the airport and the metro system.

Other projects on the agenda include the La Serena-Coquimbo light rail (US$313mn), the Pie de Monte route (US$323mn), the route 5 Iquique-Antofagasta stretch (US$376mn), the Los Lagos airport network (US$273mn) and a Valparaiso cable car (US$78mn).