Sacyr News We open a new stretch of the Puerta de Hierro highway in Colombia

We open a new stretch of the Puerta de Hierro highway in Colombia

With the opening of Functional Unit 2, the project includes 150 km of improved roadway.

Puerta de Hierro brings Colombians closer together and provides safer travel along the Colombian Caribbean.

10/02/2021

Another stretch of the Puerta de Hierro highway in Colombia, known as Functional Unit 2 (UF2), is now operational. Responsible for developing the project is the concessionaire, Montes de María, owned 100% by Sacyr Concessions.

The new section runs between El Carmen de Bolívar, Carreto and Cruz del Viso and features 65 km of reconditioned surface, in addition to the 84 km from UF3 that opened to traffic in June 2020; in total: 150 km of improved roadway.

At the opening ceremony, Colombian president, Iván Duque, remarked that the corridor means “competitiveness, connectivity, and opportunity” for the area.

“Improving the existing road reduces travel times, increases road safety, and enhances the region’s development,” notes Adriana Rivera, general manager of Montes de María.

“This section used to have very narrow stretches with many curves, which was risky for drivers. The work carried out included widening the road and fixing both horizontal and vertical curves, among other things,” she adds.

Better connectivity in the Caribbean

Puerta de Hierro, which will improve connectivity in Colombia’s Caribbean region, extends 198 km in length and links the departments of Sucre, Bolívar, and Atlántico. The highway will also facilitate access to the main seaports, airports, and border crossings along the Caribbean coast.

The project substantially improves road safety and user services with the:

Construction of the Operations Control Center - OCC, the Concession’s logistical, operational, and administrative support headquarters for the operation and provision of services along the corridor.
Installation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), featuring SOS posts, LED variable message panels and warning lights to inform users of road conditions and maintain ongoing communication with the OCC.
Construction of a service area and weight station, with restrooms, rest areas, a café, infirmary, public phones, a parking lot, scales, and a vehicle inspection station.
Construction of three pedestrian bridges in San Jacinto, San Juan Nepomuceno, and Malagana.