In 2021, the road will begin in the Route 5 section between La Serena and Coquimbo

After years of effort, finally the project to change the 16-kilometer stretch connecting La Serena and Coquimbo on the first-level highway took an important step to its realization, after this in the dependency of the Ministry of Public Works in Santiago Wednesday will be the opening of an economic bid for the project "Rute Second Section of the Los Vilos-La Serena Concession ", which includes work in conurbation.

On that occasion, the proposals submitted by the Sacyr company (the only one that provided the background for this process) for UF 13,999,900 were known, that is, 41% lower than those considered in the maximum total revenue of concessions (ITC).

In this line, the Director General of the Concession, Hugo Vera, appreciated the offer submitted by Sacyr, which he called "very competitive". He also clarified that the next step was the award decision, "after which the development of the technique began, with the urban sector being the most complex".

"The company offers 13 million UF, which means almost 40% less, which is very good for MOP, because it opens options to produce some additional work," Pablo Herman, seremi de Obras Públicas

Seremi Public Works, Pablo Herman, explained that on November 30, the signing of Spanish capital had made its technical proposal, which was revised and approved. "Today is what the economy offers, where the numbers they present are in the official budget."

The authorities explained that in an official offer it was proposed that MOP be able to approve up to 23 million UF "but the company offered 13 million UF, which means almost 40% less, which is very good for MOP".

This said, because it opened the option to produce some additional work. "For example, the links in this sector have been greatly requested by the El Panul people, something that allows these people to enter Coquimbo without having to tour Totoralillo, we can also see exactly how we work with Minvu, which is an extension of Los Perales and see exactly where the trench appears, if we make it appear after that or before that. We will be able to produce certain adjustments for the design and that is very positive, "he said.

CHARACTERISTICS OF JOB

It should be noted that to carry out work on the stretch in conurbation, the MOP's decision was to advance the tender for Route 5 which currently extends from Los Vilos to the El Panul sector in Coquimbo and enclose these 16 kilometers not included in none of the two concessions made previously (Serena-Vallenar, by the North).

This contract expires on December 15, 2022, but this strategy will allow getting time in project development between the two cities. When finished, it will continue with the next part until Los Vilos and will begin to set a new term.

"It is important to note that this does not increase the number of tolls and that in the conurbation stretch there will be no additional costs, which is a big doubt that the community has," Herman stressed.

There are a total of 245 kilometers, with an investment projection of US $ 509 million. The most complex work (and which will start first) will be located on the urban route between La Serena and Coquimbo, which covers 50% of the total investment. There, the elimination of the totality of the projected traffic lights, three tracks in both directions (north and south) and two caleteras (east and west).

In this case, one of the most important infrastructures is the low level crossing that will be built in the roundabout sector at Francisco de Aguirre, which is considered to be one of the biggest congestion points in the regional capital.

Approximately from the Japanese Garden sector, transit (south to north and vice versa) will be embedded, namely underground, and then appear around Amunategui Road.

East and west transits, meanwhile, will remain shallow. Another novelty is that Avenida Amunategui will be expanded to connect with Libertad Street, across the railway, with the aim of also declaring Francisco de Aguirre to the Lighthouse.

Continuing to the north, he also contemplated the entrenchment system in the sectors of Homecenter and Sindempart-La Herradura, in Coquimbo, where transit to the north and south will also be underground. Along the way, the construction of several pedestrian walkways was also contemplated.

TRACK TO LOS VILOS

This project is considered to be one of the most important that has been developed in this region, because it traverses 3 provinces namely Elqui, Limarí and Choapa, which cover the commune of their 5 trips: La Serena, Coquimbo, Ovalle, Canela and Los Vilos.

The first work to begin is the work of the city, and then proceed with the rest of the way. In this case, Seremi Public Works explained that, in general, the replacement of new sidewalks and bridges was contemplated "the important thing is that there will be an increase in the number of sectors for other truck drivers".

Similarly, it is estimated that the installation of electronic toll gates, for the use of tags that will replace the collections currently made.

DEADLIN

The MOP series, Pablo Herman, pointed out that what will come now is the adjudication process, in which the company must show bank receipt documents, collateral slips, etc. "After that, we hope to be tried in March or April 2019," he said.

Furthermore, he pointed out, the Sacyr company must develop a detailed engineering process "that accommodates the initial draft tendered. It will last one and a half years."

This will also be possible, said Herman, to learn what alternative routes will be carried out when Route 5 is being carried out "traffic detours and problems. Some accommodations must be made with Minvu regarding some of the routes they have in their general plans".

With all this, it is hoped that work can begin in late 2020 or early 2021. "This year and half of the detailed engineering will enable us to accommodate and improve the design presented," Herman said.

Meanwhile, the regional quartermaster Lucia Pinto stressed that with this initiative the government provided a strong impetus for the development of connectivity for the Coquimbo Region. "With this new Los Vilos-Coquimbo concession, coupled with a meeting with La Serena, what we will do is improve safety standards for drivers and improve our port and productive area," he said. 3701i