Chile’s major bridge construction project

Planning work for Chile’s Chacao Bridge project is underway at present. The new suspension bridge will provide a link to Chiloe Island and will be the longest structure of its type in Latin America when complete. Because of the risk of major earthquakes in the area, the bridge has to be constructed to cope with substantial shocks. The project is being handled by the Consorcio Puente Chacao consortium and has been in the design phase since February 2014. Chile’s Ministry for Public Works wants to ensure that the design of the project is carried out properly, even if this takes more time. A key focus is that there should no repeat of the problems seen with the Cau Cau Bridge, which does not function properly due to serious errors made during its design and construction.