This Monday, during the inauguration of the General Velásquez Carriageway belonging to the Central Motorway, the President stressed the advances in infrastructure which had been reached by the country in recent years. The Minister of Public Works, Eduardo Bitran, stated that what had been achieved in Chile in the last ten years regarding infrastructure incorporating the private sector was incomparable worldwide.
President Michelle Bachelet, expressed, this Monday morning, her backing for the public Works and infrastructures fulfilled by the Coalition Governments in recent years. This Project has a permanent value and shows how solid and foresighted the projects instigated by the Presidents Aylwin, Frei and specially Ricardo Lagos are, she stated during the inauguration ceremony of the General Velásquez Carriageway. This Project has cost $186 million and will allow to fit out 21Km of high standard motorway in the Metropolitan Region.
The President was accompanied by the Minister of Public Works, Eduardo Bitran; and the Vice-secretary of Public Works, Juan Eduardo Saldivia; as well as municipal and parliamentary authorities. The Head of State stated that over recent years the country had been witness to the finishing of many important projects which made one feel very proud, as these projects compete at the same level as the best in the world.
The Minister Britan stressed that the inauguration represented a significant milestone in the development of the urban motorway network in the City of Santiago, which allowed with this magnificent feat of engineering, a fast-link between La Alameda and El Metro for all forms of transport but especially for load transport which travels this route. This, – he said – offers an enormous benefit to the City of Santiago as it decongests the north-south route, taking heavy-load transport out of the center of Santiago and taking it onto to this fast track.
Bitran clarified that the new carriageway would have a significant impact on travel time reduction which would be translated into greater efficiency and economy. In this way, he stated that in the tender bases, a toll system was structured for the entire north-south route where load-carrying lorries would receive a reduction in the toll which could reach up to a third less if they took this route. He also indicated that this toll system was thought specifically to decongest the center and to offer private initiatives so generating social benefits.
The General Velásquez Carriageway is approximately 24Km in length and passes through 14 districts of Greater Santiago and links up with Route 5 at two points, at the North and the South.
The construction started in 2000 and the estimated investment rose to approximately $186 million. This road was constructed employing the concession system, guaranteeing 30 years of administration to the investors.
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