The Chilean Ministry of Public Works (MOP) marked a significant milestone in the Ruta Pie de Monte highway project in the Biobío Region with the opening of the economic bid submitted by Sacyr Concesiones Chile SPA.

The project represents an investment of approximately USD 355 million to build a 20-kilometer dual carriageway highway aimed at enhancing connectivity between Greater Concepción and Coronel. It is designed to reduce congestion on Route 160 and reinforce the transport infrastructure across southern Chile. The concession award is expected in March 2026, with construction scheduled to start in 2030 and operations projected to begin by 2033.

The Ruta Pie de Monte concession project serves as an alternative to Route 160, designed to shorten travel times between San Pedro de La Paz and Coronel. Together with the Industrial Bridge, the initiative positions the Biobío Region as a leader in Chile’s road infrastructure development. The new route, located east of the existing Route 160 along the foothills of the Nahuelbuta Mountain Range, is planned to connect with the Industrial Bridge in the north and with Route 160’s Tres Pinos–North Access to Coronel section in the south. By diverting through traffic, the project aims to ease congestion on Route 160, enhance urban mobility, and keep heavy and long-distance vehicles out of residential zones. The Pie de Monte Route includes a road system with signage, lighting, grade-separated intersections at its main crossings, and evacuation routes in case of tsunamis, significantly improving connectivity in the area. In addition, it features six grade-separated interchanges, a bridge over Laguna La Posada (approximately 300 meters), seven cross-roads, two viaducts, and safety, sanitation, drainage, landscaping, and irrigation systems. Furthermore, the project includes an electronic toll collection system with Multi Lane Free Flow, in line with the implementation of this technology on toll roads throughout the country.