e-mosty March 2019 Long Span and Multiple Span Bridges | Page 15

I. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
and a central tower of an inverted Y-shape
supported on rock of Roca Remolinos.
The Chacao Channel Bridge is a bridge currently
under construction to link the Isla Grande de
Chiloe with mainland Chile by crossing the Chacao
Channel in Southern Chile, about 600 miles south
of Santiago.
Although its construction was scheduled to start in
2007, the project was cancelled and then re-
launched in 2012 when the Chilean government
decided to issue an international tender for the re-
design and construction of the bridge.
At present, the only way to reach Chiloé is by a 25
to 45-minute ferry trip.
The Design-Build project comprises of three
different public works projects: the suspension
bridge, the access roads, and a service area with
maintenance and visitor buildings.
With the bridge, the time would be reduced to less
than three minutes.
The project consists of a 2,750km long double
suspension bridge with two main spans of 1050m
and 1150m, an orthotropic steel box girder deck,
four lanes, one central and two exterior shoulders
Opening of the bridge is planned for 2023.
Figures 2 - 4: Location of the bridge on the map
Source: Maps Google
II. HISTORY
In 2005 Consorcio Puente Bicentenario was
awarded a 35-year concession contract from the
Chilean Ministry of Public Works for the design,
financing,
construction,
operation
and
maintenance of a suspension bridge across the
Chacao Channel.
The construction project costs were estimated at
USD 410,000,000.
The construction was supposed to commence in
2007 and terminate in 2012.
In 2006 it was announced that the estimated cost
was above the limit and it was decided not to
continue with the project.
The consortium consisted of Hochtief, Vinci
Construction Grand Projets, American Bridge,
Besalco and Tecsa. Hochtief, Vinci and American
Bridge each owned 27% of the venture, and
Besalco and Tecsa owned 9% each.
In 2009 revival of the project was commenced and
in 2012 an open international bidding process to
present the best solution for the construction of
the bridge was started.
Hochtief was a leader, Vinci as technical lead and
American Bridge to contribute with cable spinning
and deck erection technology.
The total investment limit was set up at 740 million
USD.
1/2019