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The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) of Chile has officially launched the tender process for the concession of the last stretch of the Americo Vespucio ring road (AVO2).

The total project investment is expected to be US$826 million.

The project's scope encompasses the design, build, finance, operation and maintenance (DBFO) of the last 5.2 km of the Americo Vespucio Oriente highway.

The new stretch, which will run 40 meters under the east side of the city of Santiago de Chile, will link the urban areas of Peñalolen, Macul, La Reina and Ñuñoa below Ossa Avenue. The project will involve the construction of two tunnels between Los Presidentes and Principe de Gales streets and the creation of new green areas in Príncipe de Gales, Plaza Egaña y Rotonda Grecia.

The MOP published the tender documents (Bases) on August 11th. The reception of proposals will be in the fourth quarter of 2016 (October 7th) and the opening of technical and financial bids is projected for November 4th. The start of the concession is projected for the first quarter of 2017 and the construction is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018, with a period of 40 year concession.

MOP used the prequalification stage of the first stretch of the Américo Vespucio Oriente highway concession to pre-qualifiy companies for this second stretch. The final list of pre-qualified companies for this second stretch includes:

• Seven companies that were prequalified for the first stretch
• Two companies that did not try to pre-qualify for the first stretch
• Four companies that updated their proposals

The companies that have expressed interest are from China, France, Austria, Canada and Spain.

The consortium formed by OHL Concesiones and Sacyr Concesiones Chile submitted the best proposal for the AVO I in January 2014 and the consortium signed project in March 2014. Financial close for the project has not been announced so far.

For more information about the project, please check the project website.