The Director General of Concessions has reported that work on the Coquimbo-La Serena Conurbation will begin in December 2024.

Preparations are underway to improve a 16 km stretch of Route 5’s urban area, with an investment of US$64 million. These upgrades aim to enhance connectivity between the region’s two main cities and will be integrated with the broader Ring Road project. The works, which will take 30 months to complete, include a service road with a bicycle lane, pedestrian sidewalk, and lighting, renewal of road signage and safety, creation of exclusive lanes for public transport, and the extension of Libertad Street in La Serena. In addition, there is a pedestrian walkway, a roundabout at the intersection of Route 5 and Av. de Aguirre, road accesses to the Port of Coquimbo, and the construction of two bridges and two overpasses.

The proposed Ring Road project, part of Route 5's Second Concession, involves constructing a 40 km dual carriageway bypassing urban areas between Coquimbo and La Serena. It includes a 1.4 km tunnel through Cerro Grande, bridges, trenches, 9 interchanges, and 26 crossings. Additionally, 12 km of local streets with sidewalks, cycle paths, and bus stops are planned. The project aims to reduce travel times and provide interurban connectivity for 600,000 residents, avoiding the need to pass through city centers.