Sociedad Concesionaria Autopista Los Libertadores S.A. was awarded the concession for the construction and operation of the 117 km Santiago-Colina-Los Andes highway under a public tender in 1997, for a term of 28 years. The operator is owned by OHL of Spain. OHL will invest USD101 million in expanding and improving the highway. The Chacabuco tunnel will be doubled and the upgrading of a 19.5 km section. The existing single bore tunnel is 2,050 m in length and the new tunnel may be of the same length, shorter or longer. The 9 m-wide tunnel will carry two lanes. Trasa Ingenierí­a is carrying out a social evaluation study to assess the benefits of the project. This is due to be completed in early May. Then the detailed design will be undertaken. Finally, the construction is expected to be tendered in the fourth quarter of this year. Details regarding the construction method are not available yet. Visit www.ohlconcesiones.cl 14/08.