Chile’s public works ministry (MOP) is considering pushing back the concession tender for the US$1.04bn Vespucio Oriente urban highway to 2011, an official from MOP’s concessions division told BNamericas.

Authorities are evaluating every project that was scheduled to be concessioned this year and giving priority to reconstruction initiatives.

Officials are also looking into including reconstruction works in upcoming concessions, said the official, adding that this requires additional time for technical and financial studies.

MOP believes Vespucio Oriente should be held off until most of the reconstruction tenders, whether they are concessions or to carry out works, have been announced, the official said.

MOP wants to attract as many firms as possible to make the project more competitive. This means it must get the timing right, according to the official.

At the same time, launching a project the size of Vespucio Oriente this year could limit the capacity of participating companies to take part in the reconstruction plan, which is more urgent.

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