Reconnecting the Community: Progress Update on Restoring Termas del Flaco’s Vital Links

After the recent modification to the contract for the work on the I-45 route, made by the Department of Highways, Seremi y MOP O’Higgins, María de los Ángeles Latorre, together with the regional directors of Highways, Maurice Dintrans, confirmed Hydraulic Works, César Acevedo, on the ground of the progress of the work on this footpath. The work, carried out by the Tafca company and carried out between kilometers 38 and 75, includes improvements that seek to strengthen the connectivity and safety of the road, which connects the city of San Fernando with Termas del Flaco.

During the visit, Seremi María de los Ángeles Latorre highlighted the ministry’s commitment to strengthening road infrastructure, ensuring that “we are working to provide a safer and more robust route that meets the requirements of this foothills area. Our objective is to protect this road from floods and landslides, allowing more stable and safe connectivity to this important tourism sector.

Currently, 55% of the work has been completed, with the work focusing on building rock sites and causeways to raise the level of the road in relation to the riverbed. These structures are supported by almost 30 concrete dykes and speed humps, with the aim of mitigating the impact of flooding from the Tinguiririca River and rainwater runoff from the streams.

In turn, the regional director of Roads, Maurice Dintrans, emphasized the importance of the recent extension to the contract, which allowed the incorporation of additional work which is essential for the safety of the route. “Installing more than 32,000 m³ of rock burial and building 220,000 m³ of causeways has been essential to raise the road, protecting the route from possible flooding. These improvements respond to the need to have a resistant path that gives safety to pedestrians,” said Dintrans.

Regarding the work on the river, the director of the Hydraulic Works, César Acevedo, explained, “the river defenses are designed to integrate safety and sustainability in an area that is very vulnerable to flooding. This work will include the channel and reduce the risks associated with rain, for the benefit of residents and visitors to the region.

EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT AND ADDITIONAL WORK

After a meeting at the Provincial Presidential Delegation, Seremi María de los Ángeles Latorre informed the representative Marta Pizarro and the representatives of the neighborhood council of Termas del Flaco and the local hydroelectric plant, about a new extension to the contractual term due to the work that it needs to be done on exceptional measures. improve road safety. Originally, the contract stated that it was to be completed in December 2024, but the work had to be rescheduled to extend the work to February 27, 2025.

Seremi Latorre explained that extending the contract responds to the need to make additional adjustments that protect the infrastructure in the long term, noting that “the work on the I-45 route is key to the development of the region, and the modification in the deadline will allow us to include additional work that we consider essential to ensure a solid and efficient connection to Termas del Flaco. With these modifications, we ensure an infrastructure that responds better to natural challenges this area.”

During the inspection, two key sections of the work were identified: the first covers from km 38 to the El Chorro speed bumps (km 60.22), where the company focuses on forming rockfill and raising the level of the rolling folder, in addition for maintaining channels and improvements to works of art in the gorges. In the second part, from El Chorro Bridge to km 74.61, alternatives on the road and specific needs for works of art have been defined.

Regarding the El Chorro speed bump, improvements will be made to reinforce its structure, making it more resistant to flooding in the sector, which does not rule out the concrete of that structure. In addition, by the end of the month, and depending on the progress of the work, a controlled traffic timetable for access up and down the hill to the hot springs will be published.

In this regard, the president’s representative Marta Pizarro highlighted the importance of establishing controlled traffic schedules to guarantee road safety on the route during the work. “Our priority is that residents and visitors can travel as safely as possible, taking into account the working conditions and the climate in the area at the foot of these hills. “This schedule planning will allow the community to have access in an orderly and safe manner, as we develop these necessary improvements for the connectivity of the region,” said Pizarro.

The work is progressing at a good pace and is expected to be completed in February 2025, which will enable safe transport on this vital route for the community and regional tourism, improving connectivity for residents and visitors in foothills area.