Sacyr, through its subsidiary Sacyr Concesiones, has put the 100 km first section of the Chilean La Serena-Vallenar highway PPP project into service. 

Sociedad Concesionaria Rutas del Algarrobo is in charge of the 100 km section that connects Chile Regional Limit III with Vallenar.

The concession is located between the Third and Fourth Regions of Chile, Atacama and Coquimbo, respectively. The 187 km highway passes through the municipalities of La Serena, La Higuera and Vallenar and connect many communities such as Incahuassi, Cachiyuyo and Domeyko. The highway will have two sections: the recently opened part and an 87 km divided highway section that runs up to the city of La Serena.

The project includes doubling the existing roadway, construction of service lanes, diverse level changing structures, various U-turn ramps, emergency service areas, weighbridges, footbridges, etc.

The company has invested a total of US$300 million and it will run the concession for 32 years. The highway will be completely operational in the coming months.

Two weeks ago we reported that the firm, through its subsidiary Sacyr Concesiones, sold a 49% stake in the concession company of Ruta del Limarí (Chile) to investment fund Prime Infraestructura II. This transaction forms part of Sacyr Concesiones' strategy to open up its concessions to partners.

Sacyr Concesiones Chile currently manages an investment of US$2.3 billion through 7 public works concession contracts with committed equity of 400 million dollars. The concession contracts currently under construction are:La Serena-Vallenar (187 km); La Serena- Ovalle (85 km); Accesos a Iquique (80 km); Concepción-Cabrero (103 km); Américo Vespucio Oriente (9 km), Antofagasta Hospital (671 beds) and the Vallenar-Caldera section (227 km).