Chile's public works ministry (MOP) has pushed back the inauguration of the US$46mn Llo-Lleo bridge, which connects to a new access highway to San Antonio port in region V, a MOP official told BNamericas, commenting on press reports.
MOP officials were to inaugurate the initiative around this time, but it has been postponed indefinitely due to technical problems which arose when some of its pillars sank.
The structure, built by Spanish concessionaire OHL, will allow trucks to bypass the town of Llo-Lleo.
The overall project cost US$210mn and comprised the construction of a four-lane highway connecting the Aguas Buenas feeder road to the port, including a tunnel known as Trinchera. Another road was built to connect the Independencia area with the highway known as Camino de la Fruta, the official said.
Part of the project is already operating, including the tunnel. However, the Llo-Lleo bridge access will not be approved by MOP until OHL solves the technical problems.
According to the official, the structure's southern pillars are in perfect condition.
The sinking of the northern pillars is allegedly due to the terrain. Locals criticized authorities for not noticing this before allowing the bridge to be built, the official added.
Civilians and political sector officials also criticized the concessionaire, arguing the terrain's characteristics should have been noticed during technical feasibility studies, local press reported.
Residents pointed out there are no houses in the area where the bridge was built because of the poor quality of the land.
A temporary bridge built by authorities in the 1980s suffered the same problem, press reported.
According to the concession contract, OHL was responsible for carrying out the necessary studies to determine the feasibility of building the bridge on the site. The firm is also responsible for carrying out any complementary works necessary to solve the bridge's structural problems.
MOP is working together with the concessionaire to evaluate options, the official said.
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