en.Wedoany.com Reported - Chile's Environmental Assessment Agency (SEA) is evaluating several highway projects at different stages, with total investments nearing $1 billion.

These projects, initiated by concession companies or Chile's Ministry of Public Works (MOP), will form part of the MOP's Concessions Directorate pipeline of highway projects worth $2.712 billion over the coming months.

On July 6, the General Directorate of Public Works of the MOP submitted the environmental assessment for the Coastal Avenue project on the southern bank of the Biobío River in the city of San Pedro de la Paz. The project plans to build 7.1 kilometers of new road infrastructure, with an investment of $398 million and a construction period of 11 years. The works include constructing a new coastal avenue along the southern bank of the Biobío River, connecting the Bicentenario Bridge and the Industrial Bridge. The infrastructure will feature two opposing lanes and grade-separated interchanges at the intersections with the Bicentenario Bridge, Llacolén Bridge, Railway Bridge, Juan Pablo II Bridge, and Industrial Bridge.

Earlier in the same month, Sociedad Concesionaria Bosques de Itata submitted the "New Connection between Route 152 and Route 146" project, with an investment of $130 million. The project aims to build a new link between Route 152 and Route 146. Route 152 serves as the northern access to Concepción, while Route 146 connects the Cabrero junction on Route 5 and the Concepción junction on Route 150. The works include two roadways, each with two lanes, as well as two new interchanges, overpasses, service roads, and bridges. The project is located in the cities of Concepción and Penco, in the Concepción Province of the Biobío Region.

Another project, with an investment of $398 million, was received in April and is currently under evaluation. Submitted by Autopistas del Maipo, the project involves the renovation and expansion of the southern section of Route 5. The scope extends from the southern entrance of the Rancagua bypass to the Los Lingues overpass. Works include geometric improvements in both plan and profile to achieve a uniform design speed of 120 km/h along the entire section, as well as bridge works, pedestrian overpasses, service roads, bike lanes, retaining systems, soil improvement, drainage and sanitation facilities, road safety features, bus stops, pedestrian access aids, lighting, communication systems, CCTV, and surveillance cameras.

Additionally, a project with an investment of $32 million has been approved to expand sections of the 60-CH international highway to dual carriageways. The works will be carried out on the first segment of the current 60-CH highway, widening approximately 20.9 kilometers of road to dual carriageways. Other works include extending existing structures and intersections, relocating riprap, updating drainage works, and road safety works.