Learn about the progress of works on the bridge over the Chacao Canal

President Gabriel Boric undertook an important tour of Chiloé’s main island, where he met the island’s mayors. He also visited the works of the future bridge over the Chacao Canal, a mega construction that will connect the Chilean mainland with the island territory. 

At 2,750 meters long, it will become the largest suspension bridge in Latin America. It is currently the leading project in the Public Works Ministry investment portfolio, and represents the most significant direct investment in the ministry’s history. 

The president highlighted the selfless work of the workforce, as well as the complex working conditions that the project entails, especially in winter: “In this type of work, it is necessary to pause as much as is needed to protect the health and safety of the workers. They are going to be working at more than 200 meters high, with winds that can reach 170 km/h.” 

The president explained that the current government “had taken the lead in this project when almost 50% of the physical work had already progressed. We have had to be on top of things, we have had to supervise, we have had to expedite processes so that the Chacao Bridge is ready to come into operation as soon as possible, while safeguarding conditions for the safety of workers.” 

He added, “Public Works Minister Jessica López has been entrusted with this task, and it is part of the commitment we have adopted as a government to streamline the work of the State, investment and public works.” 

Figures for the bridge over the Chacao Canal

• This project will connect the area of Punta Coronel (Pargua sector, northern pile) in the municipality of Calbuco with Punta Gallán (Chacao sector, southern pile) in the municipality of Ancud. A central support will be installed on the “Roca Remolinos” (Remolinos Rock, central pile). 
• The Chacao Bridge will have four lanes for motor vehicles. It will considerably shorten travel times, from the 50 minutes that it can currently take (between the boarding, navigation and disembarking of ferries), to only three minutes at any time of the year. 
• With a total investment of more than $714 billion pesos (US$765 million) once the bridge has been completed, the Ruta 5 will continuously and permanently connect Chile between Arica and Quellón. 

Chacao-Chonchi Ruta 5 high-standard highway

The president also used the occasion to announce construction of a high-standard highway for the Chacao-Chonchi section of the Ruta 5. 

The project consists of improving and expanding the Ruta 5 highway to two lanes in each direction in the province of Chiloé. It will have an extension of 126 kilometers, and a section will pass through Ancud, Dalcahue, Castro and Chonchi. The project will reduce travel times and increase safety on the route, thus promoting commercial, productive and service exchange in the area. 

With an estimated investment of US$655 million, approximately 105 kilometers of the current Ruta 5 will be improved and expanded to a dual carriageway. The project will also conserve 5.4 km of dual carriageway between the Chacao Bridge road access and the intersection with the Ruta 5, as well as 16 km of dual carriageway on the Castro Bypass to alleviate traffic in the city. 

The project will also incorporate ecological overpasses for the first time to protect native fauna, such as the pudú and Darwin’s fox. Animals will be able to cross walkways over the highway planted with natural vegetation and foliage. This will avoid them being run over and care for and respect the ecosystem of Chiloé’s main island.