The Chilian Ministry of Public Works (MOP) has announced tenders for the new Route 5 on the Caldera-Antofagasta section.

This will allow raising the standard of a 466 km stretch of that road, from the north of the municipality of Caldera, to the “La Negra” sector in the municipality of Antofagasta. This includes updating road safety and signage on the route, improving access to the route, treating slopes, widening to a dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction, including new bridges, junctions, walkways, return roads, bus stops, pedestrian sidewalks and lighting and landscaping works. 

Bidding for the dual carriageway project begins in October 2024. The project extends the dual carriageway from Caldera to the north, following the earlier southern expansion. It involves an investment of US$900 million.