Andina

Peru's trans-Andean tunnel requires nearly US$2bn investment

Peruvian Transport and Communication Minister, Carlos Paredesa. Photo: ANDINA/Melina Mejia

Peruvian Transport and Communication Minister, Carlos Paredesa. Photo: ANDINA/Melina Mejia

18:19 | Lima, Jun. 12.

Peruvian government plans to allocate US$ 2 billion for the construction of the Trans-Andean tunnel in order to eventually implement the country’s Central Railroad, the Transport and Communication Ministry (MTC) has reported.
“The preliminary infrastructure studies are in their final phase and they are expected to be concluded in the coming months,” top MTC official Carlos Paredes said in statements to Andina news agency.

Thus far, the Peruvian minister said, studies reveal that an estimated investment of nearly US$ 2 billion is required to undertake this large-scale infrastructure project.

"This fund is projected to be invested in a tunnel covering a length of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) to pass through Peru’s Andes mountain chain," the senior government official noted.

He continued, “This massive project is set to become the country’s longest tunnel which will help traders to avoid going through the Ticlio pass, located at 4,758 meters (15,610 ft) above sea level in the Andean side of the Lima region".

With regard to the government's asphalt program, Paredes said the Ollanta Humala administration has built and rehabilitated 3.500 kilometers (2174.8 miles) of roads across the country since taking power in July 2011.

(END) JJN/LVT/LOG


Published: 6/12/2014