Rutas del Loa Concession in Calama

project partially completed

The project involves the improvement and expansion of the section of Route 25 into double carriageways in the section between Carmen Alto (intersection with Route 5) and the junction with Av. Balmaceda, north of the current roundabout of the southern access to the city of Calama, in the Antofagasta Region, Chile. Situated in the Atacama desert, the project entails several components, including the construction of additional lanes, the renewal and repair of road surfaces and intersections, and the establishment of connections via bridges, tunnels, and overpasses. Specifically, the Rutas del Loa project encompasses the enhancement and expansion of a 111 km stretch in Calama, involving the creation of dual carriageways and the development of a 25 km bypass road to link various routes within the town. Noteworthy aspects of the undertaking include the construction of a 345-m viaduct spanning the River Loa. One of the primary challenges of the initiative is to mitigate disruptions to existing transportation routes and infrastructure, such as railways, water mains, gas pipelines, as well as telecommunications and power lines, which run parallel to the roadway.