The Ministry of Public Works has announced that the Retiro Interchange, located at 328 km of the Second Concession Route 5 South, Talca-Chillán section, in the municipality of Retiro, Maule Region, will be open to traffic.

Emergency repairs to reinforce the structure are now 80% complete, with the interchange expected to be operational in the coming weeks. The work involves replacing the damaged beam, installing anti-seismic anchor boxes, concreting the slab, applying waterproofing, and laying and marking asphalt. These measures are designed to ensure the structure functions properly, particularly for the trucks that play a key role in the region's rice production.

The Second Concession of the Route 5 Talca-Chillán section is under construction, with final engineering work underway. It contemplates an investment of approximately USD 804 million. Its main works include the improvement of the 193-km stretch of Route 5, in addition to the construction of the new 55.8-km bypass to Talca.