Abertis

The debt owed by the Spanish Government’s Ministry of Works to infrastructure firm, Abertis, for the expansion of the AP-7 road in Catalonia stood at €1.07 billion (US$1.39bn) by the end of 2012 – an increase of 40.7% in just one year. The concession firm, Acesa, which is part of the Abertis group, signed an agreement with the Government in 2006 to add an additional carriageway on certain stretches of the highway, with the toll system also being changed to a payment model on exit instead of central tolls. T

Around US$1.82 billion (€1.34bn) may be spent improving Spain’s motorway network, according to an investment plan submitted to the Ministry of Development by Aseta, the national motorway operators’ association. Execution of the plan submitted on behalf of Itinere, Abertis and Ferrovial would be in exchange for an extension on the management contracts on their managed motorways, or a raise in toll charges. Works would start immediately and would create some 25,000 jobs. Itinere is preparing to invest €744 mi

Strong interest is being shown in the construction sector in Chile for the project to build the Chacao Bridge. The tender process is due to open in the first half of 2013 and a large number of contractors, over 30, have already acquired terms and conditions of the works package. The construction project is expected to cost US$740 million. Bidding is expected to close in early 2014 and the winner will be selected and the contract awarded. Work should start in 2015 and the completion date will be in 2019. A

In Chile the authorities are working on plans to improve transport links between capital Santiago and the nearby port of Valparaiso. The Chilean Ministry of Public Works intends to widen the existing Route 68, the main road connecting the Metropolitan and Valparaiso regions. The project will increase the road's capacity by at least 30%. Spanish contractor Abertis will work on the expansion, which includes includes the construction of a third tunnel in Lo Prado. The tunnel should improve traffic flow around

Spain’s tough economic conditions have resulted in difficult times for the country’s private toll highway operators. A fall in revenue has combined with a tough financial situation to make it difficult to pay off debts. Spain’s Ministry of Public Works is offering potential help with a new viability plan for tolled highways. This would involve merging weak, loss-making highways with long concession contracts, with highways that are profitable. Several options meet this criteria but the sector considers the

Spain’s tough economic conditions have resulted in difficult times for the country’s private toll highway operators. A fall in revenue has combined with a tough financial situation to make it difficult to pay off debts. Spain’s Ministry of Public Works is offering potential help with a new viability plan for tolled highways. This would involve merging weak, loss-making highways with long concession contracts, with highways that are profitable. Several options meet this criteria but the sector considers the

A report by the Spanish Association of Turnpikes, Tunnels, Bridges and Other Toll Road Concessionaire Companies (Aseta) claims the installation of toll booths on motorways would yield the Spanish government a minimum of US$ 10.25billion annually. Those whom the vehicle is a work tool or who do not have an alternative transport method would qualify for a discount. The government is also considering not charging drivers who motorways at night. Furthermore, drivers of trucks weighing more than 3.5tonnes are ad