Sacyr : Concesiones puts highway into operation La Serena-Vallenar (Chile)

12/05/2016

The renewed segment of Route 5 will help increase the standard of the route to a first level status, saving 20% in travel time and providing greater safety.

This work practically completes the continuity of the Route 5 highway, from Caldera in the Atacama Region, to Pargua, in Los Lagos.

Sacyr Concesiones has put the second segment of 86 Km of the new Algarrobo Route into operation, connecting the Chilean cities of La Serena with Vallenar, in Coquimbo to the boundaries with the Atacama Region, adding to the 101 Km delivered in May 2015 and that have an average daily intensity (ADI) of 5,200 vehicles/day.

This completes the total of this 187 km highway, with an investment exceeding €250 million and that, practically, completes the Route 5 highway, from Caldera in the Atacama Region to Pargua in Los Lagos.

The Ruta del Algarrobo Concessionaire Company has performed improvement and repositioning of the road works, through the construction of dual carriage, curb expansion, construction of service lanes and return points. On the other hand, it has new road safety elements, walkways, bus stops and emergency phones, as well as technical support, services areas, etc.

'This route represents an improvement in the quality of life of local residents, as well as of those travelling each day through the area, significantly improving travel times. We have built this highway with international level quality standards, positioning road safety as a fundamental aspect,' added Jorge Maureira, General Manager of the Ruta del Algarrobo Concessionaire Company, in charge of the project.

Route 5 La Serena - Vallenar Projec

The project improves on Route 5 in the segment between the north exit from the city of La Serena (Km. 473.500 approx.) to the south access of Vallenar (Km. 660.000 approx.).

Some of the most relevant works of the route include the execution of a new bridge used by railway to cross the Elqui River (fiscal bridge sector) and an uneven solution for the Las Compañías segment, in addition to other similar solutions in San Pedro, Romeral, Caleta Hornos, La Higuera, Trapiche, Punta Choros, Cachiyuyo and Domeyko.

Recycled and sustainable tarmac

In addition to the increased safety and shortened travel times, the Algarrobo Route includes an important innovation. One of the segments, 2.4 km long, was developed using tarmac mixtures containing high percentages of recycled materials. It is an R&D&i initiative with CORFO (Corporación de Fom de la Producción), pioneered in Latin America and that can refurbish and build road pavements with a lower environmental impact and lower risk for persons.

SACYR CONCESIONES

Sacyr Concesiones is the infrastructure concessions division of Sacyr and ranks 7th in the ranking of transport infrastructure concession agents in the world of Public Works Financing (PWF), with 35 distributed assets in eight countries (Spain, Portugal, Chile, Colombia, Italy, Ireland, Peru and Uruguay) in the sectors of highways (over 3,600 kilometers), transport hubs, hospitals (over 2,200 beds) and a subway line.

The presence of Sacyr Concesiones in Chile dates back 20 years, when it was one of the first companies to take part and commit to the Chilean Concessions Model with the La Serena - Los Vilos route in 1996. Since its arrival in the country, 13 concession projects have been awarded to it from Iquique to Puerto Montt, representing an investment of US$ 6,500 million and the construction of over 1,300 km of highways. It construction and operation projects portfolio, in addition to the Algarrobo Route, comprises the Desert Routes (accesses to Iquique), the Valles del Desierto Route (Route 5 segment Vallenar-Caldera), Limarí Route (Route 43 - La Serena-Ovalle), Valles del Biobío (Concepción-Cabrero), Américo Vespucio Oriente and the construction and operation of the Antofagasta Hospital.