To improve connectivity between Cartagena and Barranquilla, the Autopistas del Caribe project was born, an initiative formulated with private resources ($4.3 billion of which $1.5 are capex), which intends to intervene 243 kilometers of highway.
Currently, the project is in the pre-construction stage, however, it seems that it will not achieve financial closure and thus advance to the next phase: construction.
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“The idea is to make dual carriageways, currently there are only 15 km (…) with the entire project there is a reduction of approximately two hours to 1 hour and 16 minutes, it is close to a saving of 45 minutes, which in turn decreases the operating costs of tires, fuel, etc.”said Ernesto Carvajal, general manager of the concession, in an interview.
“During the pre-construction phase, we are carrying out the studies and engineering designs of everything that we are going to build, we are processing the environmental licenses and in prior consultations, we have five certificates (…) however, we are not advancing in the accreditation of the financial closing, although we presented the project to 26 entities of the financial sector, of which 10 showed interest, we have difficulties to achieve it”, said Carvajal.
Among the reasons for this challenge, the manager highlighted three problems: the Turbaco toll, the Arroyo de Piedra toll station and the tariff scheme. The concession is currently in charge of the maintenance and operation of this road. It is worth remembering that the highway has six tolls along its entire length, and one more would be added with the construction of this project (Arroyo de Piedra).
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“A year ago today the talenqueras were lifted by instruction from the ANI, due to a social problem that was inherited from Cartagena, there is an urban road concession which has internal tolls, from there a movement arose (…), in addition there are problems derived from the ‘no to toll’ movement, which is why the Arroyo de Piedra station was postponed to March 2024the manager said.
With this difficult situation, this Fourth Generation route is currently on the verge of a possible restructuring. “Today the Turbaco toll represents 30% of the resources with the traffic that is passing, which is equivalent to about 25,000 vehicles per day,” the businessman remarked.
By April 20, The project must have a financial closure to have the endorsement of credit institutions to begin the construction phase of the 94 kilometers of dual carriageway and variants.
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On December 6, the ANI presented a proposal package that includes additional works for $25,000 million under the concession for mobility solutions.
Paula Galeano Balaguera
