monday, january 08, 2007

InterOceanic Highway

The InterOceanic Highway project is a $1.3 billion effort to complete a paved road through Southern Peru that is the final link in a mid-South American ocean-to-ocean roadway.

Two consortiums led by Brazilian construction giants Odebrecht and Carmargo Correa have undertaken the effort which is slated for completion in 2009.

This road crosses the Peruvian Andes reaching elevations in excess of 14,500 feet and winds through the dense Amazonian rainforest where annual rainfall can exceed 10 feet.

Last year I toured the three sections under construction and wrote a series of stories about the project for Engineering News-Record that are available in this week's issue of the magazine.

The first, South American Project Stretches Ocean to Ocean, is an overview of the entire project and examines the obstacles the engineers are facing to complete it.

The next, Tent Allows Work on the Road To Continue in the Rainy Season, is a look at an interesting strategy being used to handle the overwhelming rains of the jungle - a tent. Odebrecht engineers have built a pair of tents to pave beneath during the November-to-April rainy season.

In addition, there is also an interview with Veronica Zavala Lombardi, Peru's Minister of Transportation and Communications. In it she discusses the importance of developing the country's infrastructure.

Finally, there is also a slideshow I put together that gives a pictorial tour of the project.

posted by kleph @ 7:00 am |

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