The Colombian National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) has officially started the prequalification stage to select national or international candidates who want to participate in the first five of the nine concessions that comprise Autopistas para la Prosperidad highway project.

Investments exceed 13 trillion pesos (US$7.1 billion) and will feature contributions from the national government through the ANI, the Government of Antioquia and the Government of Medellín.

Presentation of the projects

The first five concessions that were announced and that will have an estimated investment of 6.4 trillion pesos are:

• Connection North highway concession: Includes stretches of Remedios-Zaragoza Zaragoza-Caucasia (including Caucasia bypass and connection to Group 4 North). Deadline for submissions of Expressions of Interests: 15 May 2013. Tender documents

• Magdalena River Highway Concession 2: includes the stretches of Remedios-Alto de Dolores, Alto de Dolores-Puerto Berrio and connection to "Ruta del Sol". It has an estimated investment of US$724 million The total length is 150 kilometers with 74 bridges and 6 tunnels. Deadline for submissions of Expressions of Interests: 15 May 2013. Tender documents

• Pacific Connection highway concession 1: includes the stretch Ancón Sur- Camilo Cé-Bolombolo. It has an estimated investment of US$1.06 billion, with a total length of 46 kilometers, with 20 bridges and two tunnels. Deadline for submissions of Expressions of Interests: 16 May 2013. Tender documents

• Pacific Connection highway concession 2: includes the stretches of Bolombolo-La Pintada and La Pintada-Primavera. It has an estimated investment to US$515 million, with a total length of 95 kilometers. It has 33 bridges and a tunnel. Deadline for submissions of Expressions of Interests: 16 May 2013. Tender documents

• Pacific Connection highway concession 3: includes La Pintada-La Felisa; La Felisa-Irra; La Felisa-Asia; Asia-La Virginia; Tesalia by-pass; and Irra-Tres Puertas. This concession has an investment of US$647 million and it has 231 kilometers, with 26 bridges and 3 tunnels. Deadline for submissions of Expressions of Interests: 17 May 2013. Tender documents.

The execution of works will last for 6 years and the operation and maintenance of the project will last up to 25 years, depending on the case. You can read more information about the projects on this brochure (Spanish).

The ANI has launched the pre-qualification process and between two and ten consortia will be move to the next stage in which the proponents will submit final offers.

Source: INCO