The Ministry of Public Works has submitted the “Environmental Impact Study of Variants of the Route 66 Camino de la Fruta Concession” to the Environmental Evaluation and Impact Service (SEIA) to environmentally evaluate an alternative route to the existing Route 66 in Chile.

The Camino de la Fruta spans a distance of 141 km, commencing at the junction of Route 5 South in the Pelequén sector of the O'Higgins region. It traverses the southern portion of the Metropolitan region before concluding at Route 78 in the Reuss Link of the Valparaíso Region. The project is divided into five sectors (A1, A2, B3, B4, and B5), with construction currently underway in sectors B3 and B4, while work on sector B5, encompassing the section between the Bridge El Durazno and Route 78, is set to commence soon.

This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) pertains to a 53.81 km stretch of the route, located within sections A1 and A2, covering the municipalities of San Vicente de Tagua Tagua, Peumo, and Las Cabras in the O'Higgins Region. Specifically, the project entails the construction of two variants: the San Vicente-Peumo Variant, featuring segments with single and dual carriageways, and the Peumo-Las Cabras-El Manzano Variant, consisting of a single carriageway route along the northern bank of the Cachapoal River, leading towards El Manzano via Las Quiscas. Additionally, the project entails the construction of a new bridge over the Cachapoal River, as well as the implementation of uneven intersections, service streets, and connections to populated areas. This route modification aims to enhance capacity, safety, and service levels, fostering development and competitiveness in the area. It will improve connectivity along a key transportation corridor for agricultural and fruit products from the central area to the Port of San Antonio.