Chacao Channel bridge

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This article or section contains information about expected future buildings or structures.
It is likely to contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change as the building approaches completion.

The Chacao Channel bridge, original name Chiloé Bicentennial Bridge, is a planned suspension bridge that will link the island of Chiloé with continental Chile through the Chacao Channel. It is one of the several projects planned to commemorate the bicentennial of Chile's independence in 2010. Construction will start in the second half of 2007 and completion is due in late 2012 at an approximate cost of US$410 million. When completed, it will be the largest suspension bridge in South America and the third longest suspension bridge in the world as measured by total suspended span between anchorages. The Akashi-Kaikyo in Japan and Great Belt Bridge in Denmark are longer. The planned Strait of Messina Bridge in Italy will also be longer.

The bridge's length will total 2,635 m, and will consist of three concrete towers (two 179.6 m high towers and one 160.77 m high south tower), two mainspans of 1,055 m and 1,100 m, and a suspended sidespan of 380 m, providing a minimum vertical clearance for navigation of 59 m. It will link Highway Ruta 5 Sur near Pargua with Chiloé near Chacao via two one-way lanes on each side. The bridge, which is designed for a lifespan of 100 years, will be resistant to winds over 240 km/h, magnitude 10 earthquakes (Richter scale) and strong sea currents.

Currently, the only way to reach Chiloé from the ground is by ferry, which takes about 25-45 minutes. With the bridge, the time will be reduced to less than three minutes travelling at a speed of 100 km/h.

Design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance was awarded for 30 years to the Chiloé Bicentennial Bridge Consortium, consisting of French company VINCI Construction Grand Projets, German company Hochtief, American Bridge Company and Chilean companies Besalco and Tecsa. Hochtief is overall leader, VINCI is technical lead, and American Bridge is contributing cable spinning and deck erection technology.

It is expected that the bridge will boost tourism and increase investment and business opportunities on the island.

References

[American Bridge Co.]
[La Nación], December 23 2004 (in Spanish) (Ed. note: The bridge depicted in this article is incorrect.)
[El Mercurio], July 15 2005 (in Spanish)
[El Mercurio], January 14 2006 (in Spanish)

External links

[Puente Chacao] - Non-official site (in Spanish)
[Government project page] (in Spanish)
[Chilean Concessions cardfile] (in Spanish)
[Structurae: Bicentennial Bridge]

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