Hi:

In this threat I post photos of Colombian Highways and relationated Infraestructure.

The roads are very Safety, the police of highways and army protect the roads and highways (Policía de carreteras and Ejército Nacional respectively), I say this for that it didn't lack the one that says that it is dangerous to travel for Colombia

The photos are shots by Colombian forumers.

1) Autopista del Café:

Armenia - Pereira:

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/9074/imagen044nz3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/8442/imagen045ca6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/3841/imagen046dn2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6653/imagen047yp4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/6462/imagen050qg1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/980/imagen056bh4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/2583/imagen057wt2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/8053/imagen063wv8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/4677/imagen064ri1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/6043/imagen065ns0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Pereira - Manizales:

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/7721/manizales2ob7.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7479/manizales11uj.jpg

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7177/imagen00xk6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4051/imagen001jo4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/7310/imagen003io6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/6729/imagen007jv4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/2538/imagen014tm6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/3686/imagen016kk3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

2) Bogotá - Tunja: (At the moment there are several projects of these in the whole country, because Colombia needs to be renewed the net of highways for a better competitiveness).

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/2221354.jpg

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/2221350.jpg

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/2221346.jpg

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/2221327.jpg

La Paila - Buga - Palmira:

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/2480/bugatulualapaila03vv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/8126/puentepuertoisaacsvalle7qc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Autopista Norte - Bogotá - La caro:

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7423/peajeandes01sxt6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/5460/peajeandes03slp9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/1306/dscn3130yx4lr4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/7459/dscn3131vh2is5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/7945/dscn3133hy1ht8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I wait more pictures of the Colombian forumers (Of the freeways in the cities and other roads).

Nice thread!!!! Thanks karolina for showing this colombian roads

More roads!!!
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/3288/autonorte017pkur1.th.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=autonorte017pkur1.jpg)

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/337/autopistanorte42tajl1.th.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=autopistanorte42tajl1.jpg)

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/2773/avm3fbln8.th.jpg (http://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=avm3fbln8.jpg)

http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/7711/barrcircun019as1ik3.th.jpg (http://img468.imageshack.us/my.php?image=barrcircun019as1ik3.jpg)

http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/6814/filecocoimg432xs6.th.jpg (http://img468.imageshack.us/my.php?image=filecocoimg432xs6.jpg)

http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/7656/bucaramangapanoramica06fv5.th.jpg (http://img468.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bucaramangapanoramica06fv5.jpg)

http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/2884/filecocoimg709ee9.th.jpg (http://img468.imageshack.us/my.php?image=filecocoimg709ee9.jpg)

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/1856/filecocoimg1642xz1.th.jpg (http://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=filecocoimg1642xz1.jpg)

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/6994/filecocoimg1821zy7.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=filecocoimg1821zy7.jpg)

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/818/filecocoimg1821wl9.th.jpg (http://img410.imageshack.us/my.php?image=filecocoimg1821wl9.jpg)

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/2443/nose8jgvq2.th.jpg (http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nose8jgvq2.jpg)

Thanks! I´ve never seen much photo´s of Colombia´s Autopista´s.

According to the first post, the interpretation of "Autopista" in Colombia is way different than like Mexico,Spain or Chile.

Thanks! I´ve never seen much photo´s of Colombia´s Autopista´s.

According to the first post, the interpretation of "Autopista" in Colombia is way different than like Mexico,Spain or Chile.

Hi:

Those roads in Colombia are called by people "Autopista or Highway", but in fact their correct name is "Autovía" or "Doble Calzada".

As you said, the freeway interpretation in Colombia is different to that of the countries that you mentioned.

Map with the future ones "freeways" of Colombia:

Explanation: The road in red if it will be a true freeway, with two viaducts of 6 km, the other ones will be only "Dobles calzadas"

In this map appear only the freeways, the normal roads don't appear (I Say that because Colombia has 100.000 km of roads) That stood out in the map is only the net of freeways that will have approximately among 2000 km to 3000 km.

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3103/mapa1lv9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

A normal Colombian Road:

http://img414.imageshack.us/img414/8835/camcol94an.jpg

Tunel de la Linea:

This is a tunnel that this being built in the most mountainous road of Colombia, their longitude is of 8.1 km, and for the 2010 it will be Finished the first of 2 tunnels (Are 2 because the road will be a "Doble calzada" that will be a great work for that escarped of the land).

TUNEL PILOTO LA LINEA

http://www.calarca.net/imagenes/tunel_planta.gif

Enero 2005
http://www.conconcreto.com/WebConconcreto2006/images_obrasAmpliacion/LaLineacerrada.jpg

Julio 2005 (Portal Tolima)
http://www.conconcreto.com/WebConconcreto2006/images_obrasAmpliacion/LaLineaTolimajulio.jpg

Noviembre 2005 (Porta Tolima)
http://www.conconcreto.com/WebConconcreto2006/images_obrasAmpliacion/LaLineaTolimanov2.jpg

Febrero 2006
http://www.conconcreto.com/WebConconcreto2006/images_obrasAmpliacion/LaL%EDnealanzadofeb05.jpg

Agosto 2006

http://www.conconcreto.com/WebConconcreto2006/images_obrasAmpliacion/LaLineaagosto.jpg

Sept 2006

http://www.conconcreto.com/WebConconcreto2006/images_obrasAmpliacion/La-L%EDnea-sep-06.jpg

Febrero 2007 (Quindio) Obras de Acesso[/SIZE][/B]

http://www.conconcreto.com/WebConconcreto2006/images_obrasAmpliacion/La-L%EDnea-acceso-Quind%EDo-1.jpg

http://www.conconcreto.com/WebConconcreto2006/images_obrasAmpliacion/La-L%EDnea-carretera-02-07.jpg

And this road Actually:

PUES COMO HACE RATO NO HAY NOTICIAS LES DEJO UNAS FOTICOS DE LA LINEA

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1997/armeniajulio118oj8.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3816/armeniajulio121ke9.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/2761/armeniajulio122aj0.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/5761/armeniajulio124rh5.jpg

este es el peaje de la linea y esta en el lado del departamento del Tolima
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5460/armeniajulio127ml1.jpg

este parador es muy famoso es La Paloma
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/6262/armeniajulio128jp8.jpg

llegando al pueblo de "Cajamarca"

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/2876/armeniajulio130mk0.jpg

You guys have to pay tolls for regular onelaned roads too?

You guys have to pay tolls for regular onelaned roads too?

Yes, you do have to pay a toll in the mayority of the roads.

Yes, you do have to pay a toll in the mayority of the roads.

Wouldn't a vignette be easier? Or are it all privatly owned roads?

Wouldn't a vignette be easier? Or are it all privatly owned roads?

In general the roads are private, it is made a concession and the group bidder that has the best proposal commits to maintain the highway in perfect state and to give vehicular and medical services.

The roads that are freeway are deprived and maintained by the consortium, soon the main roads will be this way and the secondary roads become maintained by the state with part of the money obtained in the tolls of the freeways.

Greetings!

Colombia has some great roads....thanks for sharing!!!!

Thanks for your comment.

More freeways.



Aquí una mini colaboración.
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/126/filecocoimg4297dl1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/249/filecocoimg4688ge9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/3710/filecocoimg5093vq4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/9687/filecocoimg5261on4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1447/filecocoimg5262lu7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7565/filecocoimg5263fg9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Freeways? Those roads are way too bendy to be called something like motorway-grade roads.
The road itself looks okay though. I have a cousin from Colombia, he says it's dangerous to drive there as westerners because of kidnapping by FARC and stuff. (Shining Path?).

Freeways? Those roads are way too bendy to be called something like motorway-grade roads.
The road itself looks okay though. I have a cousin from Colombia, he says it's dangerous to drive there as westerners because of kidnapping by FARC and stuff. (Shining Path?).

Hi:

Where it is dangerous to drive is in the south of the country, bony in the area of the amazonía and where there is little population (in this zone the roads they are simple), in the motorways that I showed there is constant witnesses of Army and Police of highways, today in day to travel in Colombia is very safe, it was not like 5 years ago behind, today all these areas are at the moment in control of the state and the guerrilas of the farc they are controlled and their to be possible limits to remote areas.

Colombia is not the same one of 7 years ago, You believe that if guarantees of the state all those Motorways have make?.

Tunel de Occidente (Occident Tunnel) (Vía Medellín-Urabá) (Long. of 4.6 km):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/464541192_d113597e03.jpg?v=0

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Tunel_de_Occidente.jpg/800px-Tunel_de_Occidente.jpg

_________________________________________

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/4433/colombiatripnov2006240yv5.jpg

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/8803/colombiatripnov2006248lk9.jpg

Helical viaduct: At the moment it is built viaduct of this type because Colombian geography in the area where the road goes is very mountainous.

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/4756/viaductohelicoidalun8.jpg

http://www.eldiario.com.co/imagen.php?codigo=91049&id_noticia=91049

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/4836/imagenqm4.jpg

Thanks for the pics. The helical viaduct is very curious.

Very intersting, Colombia is beautiful.

hey baby love the pics, awesome thread, keep it up, show the nice things we have in Colombia,

thanks for show the colombian infraestucture, there are so much to improve, but we are in a good way.

:okay:

Gracias Karolina por invitarme a ver este heeeeeerrrrrrrmoso thread creado por vos... muy lindas las fotos tuyas y las de todos, están muy bien con las autopistas y rutas allá en Colombia, se ven muchos proyectos y lindos...
Me gusta ver como se mezcla el verde de la naturaleza con las rutas y/o autopistas. Me parecieron muy simpaticos los peajes jjaja, aca mas o menos son todos del mismo estilo...
Bueno les comento que soy de Rosario, Santa fe, Argentina. Saludos gente!! viva Sudamérica!!...

A no perderse mas fotos en la proxima página!!!!! Hasta pronto... :)

this is a really really great thread, thanks caro for showing our roads and highways, the Occident Tunnel, is my favorite construction, because, it's near to my city hahaha

:hug:

Colombia projects underway

Construction on Colombia’s Cirardot-Ibagué-Cajamarca highway is moving forward as concessionaire San Rafael moves forward with the tendering process. The concessionaire was awarded the project in July of this year and has submitted a US$176 million investment plan, reports Business News Americas. The 20-year concession includes carrying out all the necessary technical and financial studies, as well as construction, expansion and operation of the 196km highway. The work includes building a tunnel and bypasses. Rehabilitation works will be carried out over 93.7km of highway, while construction works will total 73.4km.

Meanwhile, Spanish infrastructure companies are interested in participating in road concessions to be developed in Colombia. These companies are already investing in Chilean urban expressway and regional highway concessions as they form part of the consortiums handling these projects, and are represented by Copsa, said Gatica.
The Spanish firms operating in Chilean concessions include OHL Concesiones, Cintra, Acciona and Sacyr Vallehermoso. These companies are also working with US firms in an effort to develop road concession projects in that market.

:cheers:

I miss a road through the Darien Gap (to Panama). :(

^^ Good information, about "La linea" project.
I miss a road through the Darien Gap (to Panama). :(

Hi:

A road throug the darien gap, at this moment hasn't build, because a road in this gap will gave a hard impact for the nature, would have that to do a special design, and for now twe have projects more important than this.

Bogota - Tunja "Autovia". (In construction)


http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/8449/filecocoimg5401br4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/5453/filecocoimg5403va4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3093/filecocoimg5404zf4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9084/filecocoimg5405hr9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/729/filecocoimg5406ug5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

:wave:

Good pics. Thanks for showing the Colombian "Autovias".

5 freeways are planned for Bogotá, taking the model of freeway of Santiago de Chile.

They are true freeways that the city needs them and they will use them who really need these roads because to drive for these freeways you should pay himself a rate.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb85/danielperez098/mapa-vias.gif

Bogotá. Vehículos que atraviesen Bogotá a 100 kilómetros por hora, sin cruces o semáforos y en 10 ó 15 minutos. Todo ello con el pago de 120 pesos por cada kilómetro recorrido en cinco nuevas autopistas.

Este es el modelo de ciudad que plantea un estudio realizado por la firma Odinsa y divulgado por la Cámara Colombiana de Infraestructura (CCI).

La idea es construir supervías de norte a sur y de oriente a occidente de la ciudad, las cuales se financiarán con peajes electrónicos y capital privado.

La investigación denominada “Sistema Integrado de Transporte Público y Particular para la Bogotá del Futuro”, cuenta con el aval de Fenalco Bogotá y el ministro de Transporte, Andrés Uriel Gallego Henao.

El jefe de la cartera dijo ayer que esa era la tendencia del transporte urbano ante el crecimiento exponencial del parque automotor de las ciudades colombianas. “Eso hay que hacerlo, para allá vamos porque no cabemos en las ciudades con las condiciones de hoy”, dijo.

Explicó que los esfuerzos por expandir la malla urbana requieren de mayor dedicación y que las soluciones implantadas hasta ahora resultan insuficientes.

Cifras del Ministerio muestran que en la década del noventa había un vehículo por cada 15 personas en el país. En la actualidad hay un vehículo por cada siete, es decir que circulan 4,6 millones de automotores sin contar con las vías suficientes.

Para el presidente de Fenalco seccional Bogotá, Dionisio Araujo, “si no se toman medidas como está, “la ciudad entrará en una inmovilización total con consecuencias nefastas para la productividad”.

Araujo dijo que este tipo de infraestructuras podrían perjudicar la ubicación de establecimientos comerciales, sin embargo, señaló que se puede implementar una política de reubicación.

“Traerá muchos beneficios, pues será posible realizar los recorridos en menor tiempo y con un impacto ambiental y productivo favorable”, indicó el dirigente gremial.


Propuesta
El presidente de Odinsa, Luis Fernando Jaramillo, aclaró que dicha investigación es un primer vistazo y que por ello no ha sido presentado a las autoridades distritales.

Las inversiones requeridas para el desarrollo de esta red de 150 kilómetros de autopistas bordean los 1.800 millones de dólares.

La firma plantea cinco arterias viales: Longitudinal de Occidente desde La Caro hasta El Muña, ya estudiada y parcialmente en construcción, de la cual hace parte la Avenida Cundinamarca; la Longitudinal de los Cerros Orientales desde La Caro hasta la salida a Villavicencio, con tramos a cielo abierto, viaductos y túneles; Transversal Norte desde los Cerros hasta Cota por la Calle 170 (alternativas pueden ser la 153 ó 134), cruzando bajo los Cerros de Suba en túnel; Transversal Central desde Germania por la Avenida Eldorado, con acceso al Aeropuerto y desarrollo por el lado de una de las pistas hasta empalmar con la Concesión Chía – Girardot, y la Transversal Sur que prolongará la Longitudinal de los Cerros hasta el Muña. (Ver mapa).

Según el director de proyectos de Odinsa y autor de la investigación, Héctor Salazar Bonilla, la propuesta está basada en la experiencia chilena en donde están en funcionamiento cuatro superautopistas.

“En Santiago circulan cerca de un 1,2 millones de vehículos, mientras que en Bogotá 1,4 millones. Cuando empezaron las obras en la capital chilena el poder adquisitivo de los habitantes era inferior al que tienen hoy los bogotanos”, señaló.


Gestión del alcalde electo
La red de autopistas hace parte de una política integral de soluciones como el metro, Transmilenio, tren de cercanías, cobro unificado y chatarrización. Directivos de la CCI explicaron que la decisión de crear un Sistema Integrado de Transporte para Bogotá que incluya la participación privada en la implementación de una Red de Autopistas Urbanas, debe ser una de las prioridades de la nueva administración distrital.

Autovía Bogotá - Girardot (In construction).



http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/240/armenia2017qn1.jpg

AQUI REALIZARAN EL PUENTE PARA ACORTAR LA CURVA JUNTO AL EMBALSE DE SAN MIGUEL
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/9460/armenia2011ox5.jpg

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/8409/armenia2012rq7.jpg

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/6085/armenia2014xd6.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/446/armenia2015ir6.jpg


AQUI COMIENZA LA VARIANTE DE FUSA, ESTABAN TUMBANDO LA BARRERA DE CONTENCIÓN
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/8595/armenia2018zd9.jpg

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/6271/armenia2033ld5.jpg

RIO SUMAPAZ
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/3249/armenia2036dn1.jpg

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/9216/armenia2037dp5.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/8877/armenia2057nc8.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/8360/armenia2063ol6.jpg

DOBLE CALZADA TERMINADA
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5568/armenia2064ug1.jpg

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/6119/armenia2065qy1.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4943/armenia2067hz5.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9422/armenia2068lr2.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7889/armenia2069mm5.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/6413/armenia2074hd5.jpg

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/5095/armenia2076ad7.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/1605/armenia2077oh5.jpg

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/617/armenia2080rt7.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1253/armenia2081hu0.jpg

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/2691/armenia2082zl6.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/760/armenia2085vz0.jpg

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/6649/armenia2087sd3.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/7189/armenia2092st9.jpg

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/1994/armenia2095wx6.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7320/armenia2099yj2.jpg

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/1607/armenia2103ky8.jpg

These photos are great, do you have pics of the roads over mountain passes, ie Cordillera mountains (east, west, middle)

How about travel on roads at night? Are they actually safe from bandits or rebels? How is the road from Bogota to Cali/Popayan or Cartagena?

Mark.

^^ Hi:

The next pics and pics of post #6 shows Cordillera/Mountain passes (the pass that is show is Ibagué-Armenia, at middle "Cordillera", and is the same pass of #6 post. I take the next pics a month ago :D):

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Imagen098-1.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Imagen100-1.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Imagen101-1.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Imagen102-1.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Imagen103-1.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Imagen104-1.jpg

A lot of Fog:

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Imagen105.jpg

The road from Bogota to Cali it's very safe, has a lot of towns and cities, and this road is at the moment enlarged to transform it into "Autovía", and there is already several km that have been built.

Bogotá to Medellín also it's safe to travel.

Actually the most of highways in Colombia have Military/Police presence 24 hours (day and night, obviously especially in the night, there are battalions of the Colombian Armed Forces and they protect the roads and the territories in the mountains, and police stations for the monitoring of the traffic and security of the travels).

From Bogotá to Popayan it's the same road to Cali-Bogotá, and Bogotá from Cartagena also is safe, but this travel actually is something long, Cartagena is very far from Bogotá. Until next year begin the works to build a freeway called "Ruta del Sol", that connects Bogotá from Cartagena and it's planed to reduces the time of travel 40%.

The insecure areas to travel are toward the southeast of Colombia, the "Llanos Orientales" and "Amazonía" (Areas that are not tourist, and have a low density of population, and depends of air transport principally), this zones have presence of police and military, but in this part of the country are insecure in fact for that they are recovering for the state of the rebels and there are constants combats. In short, at the southeast there is not a single important city, the biggest city reaches to have 40.000 inhabitants.

Today in general travel for Colombia it's safe (in all the roads that you travel you can see the presence of police and military, in special at the end of year, january and july, the monts of vacations, and the Colombian goverment has made a very good administration to reduce the kidnapping in 83% in the ultimoses 5 years, in short, it is a problem that this almost solved one, offering protection and security to the Colombians and those who visit our country).

Greetings :)

^^ The pictures of the passes are great :) That tunnel should relieve that congestion on the pass.

The perception here (Australia) is that Columbia is very dangerous to travel around (because of rebel kidnappings and drug cartels). I hope this is overcome so people visit, there seems to be much to see. The roads really do appear to be in good condition.

What about those Autovía's. Are they the same like Spanish Autovía's, like 2x2 lanes, emergency lanes, central divider, acces controlled on and off ramps, gas station, rest areas, etc?

Or are they more like a four lane major highway, but with grade intersections?

^^ The pictures of the passes are great :) That tunnel should relieve that congestion on the pass.

The perception here (Australia) is that Columbia is very dangerous to travel around (because of rebel kidnappings and drug cartels). I hope this is overcome so people visit, there seems to be much to see. The roads really do appear to be in good condition.

That pass will become Autovía, (the problem with that pass is that there is a change of height of more than 1000 meters while you travels among the two cities, and the land is very sharp, that makes that it is an even challenge the engineers to build another roadway, at the moment they are being ahead some works to begin to expand this road), the tunnel will avoid to ascend so much, and to cut the distance of the trip a lot, the current road will be of a roadway sense, and the tunnel plans to be the other roadway of the railcar, the road will see like a normal railcar until it arrives to the entrance of the tunnel, and to the exit of the tunnel when they are the two rails again.

That perception of our country one has in almost everybody (for not saying everything). Although today in day in the country has improved a lot the situation, the international image has been made it has improved and there is increment in people that visit Colombia, we have that stigma, and it is necessary to even make a lot to remove that bad fame, and to put an end to those problems.

What about those Autovía's. Are they the same like Spanish Autovía's, like 2x2 lanes, emergency lanes, central divider, access controlled on and off ramps, gas station, rest areas, etc?

Or are they more like a four lane major highway, but with grade intersections?

Most of Colombian Autovias are similar to the Spanish Autovias, with all those characteristics (to exception of some areas where there are small populations on the autovia as for the accesses), of which takes charge of maintaining the company to which was taken charge him the concession of the Autovia.

At the moment the only roads that would enter in the freeway concept like such it would be Bogotá-Briceño and "La Paila-Cali" (Armenia-Cali). And in a future Bogotá-Santa Marta (Santa Marta is to less than half hour of Cartagena).

^^ The pictures of the passes are great :) That tunnel should relieve that congestion on the pass.

The perception here (Australia) is that Columbia is very dangerous to travel around (because of rebel kidnappings and drug cartels). I hope this is overcome so people visit, there seems to be much to see. The roads really do appear to be in good condition.

Two points my friend, first it is COLOMBIA not Columbia (sorry but Columbia is a city in the US).
Second check some blogs about Colombia you will be surprised to see how many Australians visit Colombia, and you'll even be more surprised to see how many actually fall in love with it!

Perception is a hard thing to overcome and also thanks to Hollywood and the bad rep from foreign media Colombia is fighting an up-hill battle to reverse that unwanted reputation.

Wow, this topic hasn't got a reply in like a year.

Some stuff I collected from the local forums:
http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/3899/462381738f7c5d286a2oqq5.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4502/filecocoimg1642bp8.jpg

http://www.ccc.org.co/accion/094/img/l.jpg

http://static4.bareka.com/photos/medium/12752703.jpg

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/1839/dsc03439or7.jpg

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww271/kmiand/DSC07595.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9756/dsc04099c.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4980/1003257o.jpg

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu157/Medellinx2/DSC09020.jpg

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/rr247/alosagarve/curvakv9.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/2793740247_590961b034.jpg?v=0

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh243/pablormed/DSC05810.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh243/pablormed/DSC05819.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh243/pablormed/DSC05821.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh243/pablormed/DSC05822.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh243/pablormed/DSC05823.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/230176747_4eb2b3456e.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4564/auto1eo8.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7719/auto3ma9.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/7783/puentepereiraxm1.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7681/05020520014fs0.jpg

^^nice update, the good thing is that colombia is improving greatly in its roads, we still have a longs way but we are getting there. :D

You guys have to pay tolls for regular onelaned roads too?


beliver or not... yes we must pay tolls for regular onelaned road and sometime those road are in bad condition,corruption is a big issue in our country!:bash:

Thx for the update ... We still have so much work to do ... but we are doing it the best way !! ...

asphalt or concrete?


Son de asfalto o de hormigon armando. parece asfalto aqui se destruyen cada 6 meses estan optando por el concreto en las principales.

asphalt or concrete?


Son de asfalto o de hormigon armando. parece asfalto aqui se destruyen cada 6 meses estan optando por el concreto en las principales.

Both... asphalt and concrete.

Colombia must standardize its Signaling system for regional roads.

Some pics, i took it aprox. 2 months ago:

Bogotá - Tunja:

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1401-1.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1408.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1359.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1362.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1409-1.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1412.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1377-1.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1393-1.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1398-1.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1387.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1382.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1399-1.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1417.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1406.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1418.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1374.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1410.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1373.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1366.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/aireos/Highway/100_1375.jpg

Bogotá:

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/7558/1003254.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1003257o.jpg

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/4131/1003256m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3353/3588351843_734815af2b.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3367/3588352301_ba5ba670a6.jpg?v=0

Tulúa - Cali:

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/188/12752703.jpg

Medellín:

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu48/upbarq/4576_1175148620375_1277866264_50172.jpg

Soon I will post a general description of the future of highways/autovías in Colombia, and motorway concession projects in some major cities.

:)

Bogotá:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/3063060567_df1ecbc60f.jpg?v=0
Christian Alban (http://www.flickr.com/photos/albanchristian/3063060567/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1257/1300970842_95874cf2f6.jpg?v=0
Maya Ibuki. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mayaibuki/1300970842/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1269/1357777395_97d9c6ddd7.jpg?v=0
SLRookie (http://www.flickr.com/photos/slrookie/1357777395/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2096/2248914140_04d0f651ba.jpg?v=0
José4507 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14455756@N07/2248914140/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/103/266516910_724de6ad7d.jpg?v=0
Ronald Chamat (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronald_chamat/266516910/)

I don't actually think that cars are a viable solution to Colombias transportation problems.

Most of the cities are too densely populated for there to ever be enough space fo most of the population to use cars - and right now probably only up to 30% of the population has cars and traffic is already gridlock and chaos, even with alternating day rules in some cities.

The country also has alot of ecological diversity - second in the world I believe, and a poor record of enforcing emissions laws (there is a TON of dirty diesel there).

Enabling car-centric development (giant freeways, US-style suburbs, shopping malls for people with cars ), will only lead the country down an inefficient and environmentally bad path. Already much of the development in the last few decades is far too car centric.

Despite the enormous initial capital costs, I think that major cities in Colombia (as well as nearly every industry) would benefit much more and greatly from direct fast rail connections between them, rather than super-giant freeways. Building freeways is rather shortsighted, and this isn't a country that can afford to spend money inefficiently. The distances between major cities are not great, but there would need to be some world-class tunneling and trestling to ensure the most direct routes through the cordilleras. There should also be rail connections to popular destinations/touristy places. Many are small towns where a vehicle is totally unnecessary once one arrives.

It would of course need to be paired with world class transport in the cities, and more transit-oriented design than is currently used, oh and a make-over in attitudes among alot of people.

Imagine this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIa7-aOA4EU

Not saying that road improvements are not needed, but those should focus on roads that go to the smaller villages. Something as simple as blacktopping can cut travel times by half and support the cottage industries in these smaller towns tremendously.

Some roads:

Vía Pescadero (Bucaramanga - San Gil):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2543202067_2d4a54f4ed.jpg?v=0
Ofaic (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ofaic/2543202067/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/2215206572_3655a1432b.jpg?v=0
Joerg Zwingli (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joergzwingli/2215206572/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/2215206320_0f4b1e402a.jpg?v=0
Joerg Zwingli (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joergzwingli/2215206572/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2092/2215206234_b540ff8403.jpg?v=0
Joerg Zwingli (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joergzwingli/2215206572/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/3158866849_839b020409.jpg?v=0
Zug55 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zug55/3158866849/)

Tuquerres - Ipiales:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/2285278342_8aba34ff70.jpg?v=0
AlehoPzart (http://www.flickr.com/photos/aleho/2294390432/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/2294390432_2e449c0046.jpg?v=0
AlehoPzart (http://www.flickr.com/photos/aleho/2294390432/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2215/2158600707_92ab7daaca.jpg?v=1199304022
Yo Axolotl (http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaxolotl/2158600707/)

Rural road in Guatavita (Cundinamarca)

http://i41.tinypic.com/2rfzlo0.jpg
Jaglazier (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jag_jaf_travel/3303010397/)

Rural road in Sonsón (Antioquia):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/2954965704_e12d3c472e.jpg?v=0
Mauricio Agudelo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mauricioagudelo/2954965704/)

Aracataca:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/90/216425969_9c813747a6.jpg?v=0
Sicoactiva (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sicoactiva/216425969/)

La Pintada:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/2211581564_7836fb198f.jpg?v=0
Tián (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebastian8a/2211581564/)

Autovías:

Antioquía (Autopista Norte Medellín):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/2295824021_04cce9da48.jpg?v=0
George Donelly (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyklo/2295824021/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/2296617826_71886138e8.jpg?v=0
George Donelly (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyklo/2296617826/)

Medellín - Santa Fé de Antioquía:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3450862631_cf273dfd93.jpg?v=0
Pattoncito (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pattoncito/3450862631/in/set-72157616870323941/)

Tunja - Bogotá:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2357/2242891249_baa2b4cd22.jpg?v=0
Andrés Colmenares (http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrescolmenares/2242891249/)

Cali - Zarzal:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3310/3274745920_815a6bce11.jpg?v=0
Mauricio Agudelo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mauricioagudelo/3274745920/)

Cali - Rozo:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2685917835_313e2b0a92.jpg?v=0
Hectormesa (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectormesa/2685917835/)

Medellín:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3325819451_6b8b60f0cd.jpg?v=0
Alejoaoa (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/member.php?u=57183)

I don't actually think that cars are a viable solution to Colombias transportation problems.

Most of the cities are too densely populated for there to ever be enough space fo most of the population to use cars - and right now probably only up to 30% of the population has cars and traffic is already gridlock and chaos, even with alternating day rules in some cities.

I Agree with you, althoug, motorway concession projects in 3 principal cities, such as currently planned in Bogota, Medellin and Cali aren't bad projects.

Also keep in mind that you must pay for its use (the system will be similar to Santiago de Chile), and as expected, at least in the case of Bogotá, it's planned that they surround the city.

The country also has alot of ecological diversity - second in the world I believe, and a poor record of enforcing emissions laws (there is a TON of dirty diesel there).

At the moment this is changing, the quality of diesel in the country is improving considerably over the past years, the idea is that particles per million in 2012-2014 will be comparable to international standards.

Despite the enormous initial capital costs, I think that major cities in Colombia would benefit greatly (not just people travelling, but also agriculture and other industries), from direct and moderately fast rail connections between them. The distances between major cities are not great, but there would need to be some world-class tunneling and trestling to ensure the most direct routes through the cordilleras. There should also be rail connections to popular destinations/touristy places.

:yes:

I Agree with you, althoug, motorway concession projects in 3 principal cities, such as currently planned in Bogota, Medellin and Cali aren't bad projects.

Also keep in mind that you must pay for its use (the system will be similar to Santiago de Chile), and as expected, at least in the case of Bogotá, it's planned that they surround the city.

At the moment this is changing, the quality of diesel in the country is improving considerably over the past years, the idea is that particles per million in 2012-2014 will be comparable to international standards.



Yes but just becuase some can afford the tolls doesn't make it ok to pollute (CO). even with enforced auto emissions standards more cars still = more carbon monoxide, and more congestion and those looking for a better way of getting around are hooped. The options should be

a) eight-hour drives
b) 3 hour train-ride
c) 1 hour flight

Efficient, accessible, and environmentally clean transit (ie high speed trains) should be positioned as easiest, fastest, and most popular choice to push a change in direction away from car-culture before it is too late.

Thanks Aireos to Keep the Thread Update...
I haven't seeing it before...

Saludos!!

Bicentennial Highway


This highway is gonna be developed in the city of Santiago de Cali (capital of Valle del Cauca state) to commemorate the July 3rd of 1810, when Cali (3rd largest city in Colombia) was the first city in Colombia who rose against the Spanish Crown. That led, some weeks later, to the facts of july 20th of 1810 (the independence day of Colombia).

Bicentennial Highway will connect the north with the south of the city in 15 minutes. This urban highway is gonna be developed by a 30 years concession and it's expect to be finished in 2011.

I leave you here a video, divided in 3 parts, about the project. I'm sorry but it's in spanish...:nuts:

PS: In the 1st part, minute 4:05, you can see some images of the highways of the Valle Del Cauca state (the best statal highways system in Colombia)... :)


7w7PnyNgO_o

LtV5t2gSAKA

ep_p5N-hz1U

^^ Some news about the Bicentennial Highway... :)

Autopista Bicentenario, en Cali, será la primera del país financiada con peajes
El alcalde Jorge Iván Ospina tiene 18 meses, que ya empezaron a correr, para contratar su construcción.


Durante este tiempo otorgado por el Concejo, que ya le dio vía libre al proyecto, deberá también definir la operación de la vía y el diseño final de la superautopista de 14,8 kilómetros que unirá el sur con el norte de Cali en 14 minutos.

Esta obra es comparable con la doble calzada Buga-Tuluá-La Paila, la primera concesionada en el país y que fue ejecutada hace ya 14 años. La Bicentenario será concesionada a 30 años.

Peaje valdría 4.300

El Concejo facultó al Alcalde para que fije la tarifa del peaje y le dio un año para la desafectación de los bienes de uso público que se requieran para la construcción de la obra.

Según los diseños, demandará 380.000 millones de pesos, y de acuerdo con los estudios financieros, el costo promedio del peaje será de 4.300 pesos.

Además los conductores podrán entrar y salir de la superautopista y pagar solo por los kilómetros recorridos.

Los peajes serán electrónicos. Los estudios indican que durante el 2011 se movilizarán por la Bicentenario 30.000 vehículos diarios.

La vía, que correrá paralela a la red férrea, está concebida, especialmente, para el transporte pesado.

El Concejo determinó además, que una vez terminada la concesión, los ingresos que se causen por concepto del peaje serán de manejo directo del municipio y se destinarán al mantenimiento de la superautopista y las obras complementarias que requiera.

En doble calzada

Toda la vía será en doble calzada, cada una con dos carriles. Cada calzada tendrá 7,30 metros de ancho.

Partirá en el sur de Cali, por la Clínica Valle del Lili, cerca a Jamundí, y seguirá a lo largo de la calle 25 (zona oriental) hasta la calle 70, donde empieza el municipio de Yumbo.

Los conductores podrán movilizarse a 100 kilómetros por hora.

Paralela a la vía se han con-templado 22 kilómetros de ciclo ruta con 2,5 metros de ancho.

La Bicentenario demandará 300.000 metros cuadrados de pavimento, 45.000 metros cúbicos de concreto asfáltico, 12.000 metros cúbicos de concreto estructural y 2.000 toneladas de acero.

La secretaría de Infraestructura estima que en su construcción se generarán 10.000 -empleos directos.

El asesor de la Alcaldía, Alfredo Valenzuela, dice el nombre del Bicentenario es para recordar el 3 de julio de 1810, cuando Cali fue la primera población del país en dar el grito de independencia.

CALI

Cali tendrá autopista Bicentenario

http://www.cali.gov.co/includes/tribu/files/Noticias/news_16609.jpg

Fue sancionado por el alcalde Jorge Iván Ospina Gómez el Proyecto de Acuerdo con el cual se le da vida a la Autopista del Bicentenario. Ésta se convertirá en la primera autopista rápida por peaje urbano en todo el país.

“La autopista va a permitir que los caleños se comuniquen en tan sólo 14 minutos del sur al norte de la ciudad. Igualmente la Bicentenario va a significar empleo, renovación urbana y sin duda mejoramiento en la movilidad de la ciudad”, expresó el Alcalde.

De aquí en adelante vendrá la estructuración de los pliegos de la licitación, que se pretende adelantar en lo que queda de este año. La licitación también se abrirá en el 2009, con el fin de iniciar las obras en el 2010 y 2011.

“Esta obra tiene 15 kilómetros de longitud, es de cuatro carriles y tiene de una inversión de cerca de 380 mil millones de pesos, siendo éste uno de los macroproyectos más importantes de la sociedad”, reiteró Ospina Gómez.

La concesión privada será a 30 años y cuando se termine de pagar, volverá al Municipio. El peaje será electrónico, donde si se recorren los 15 kilómetros tendrá un valor aproximado a los 4.500 pesos y si se recorren 4 u otros kilómetros el precio variará.

“La Bicentenario recorrerá todo el sur al lado del corredor férreo, por la autopista Simón Bolívar, ascendería hasta la 50 con autopista Simón Bolívar y ahí tomaría la 25 hasta la 4ª norte por donde se saldría a la calle 70”, indicó el Alcalde.

El ingeniero Marco Zambrano, secretario de Infraestructura dijo que en esta fase inicial se va a armar un paquete grande para poder enamorar a muchos proponentes, concesionarios y oferentes que quieran presentarse, debido a que este es un proyecto atractivo, rentable y donde hay suficientes vehículos para que transiten por la vía.

“Gracias al Concejo por ese trabajo mancomunado que se tuvo con ellos y la Administración Municipal para que el proyecto saliera adelante”, puntualizó el Mandatario de los caleños.

Frente a la compra predios el ingeniero Zambrano dijo que no son muchos los que hay que comprar, pero que sí hay que resolver algunos inconvenientes ambientales, que hay que generar un plan de mitigación de árboles suficientemente bueno para evitar traumatismos en el tema.

Valle del Cauca - Highway system

Santander de Quilichao - Palmira

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/8222/malla1.jpg

Santiago de Cali - Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO)

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/752/malla2.jpg

Palmira - Buga

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/5964/malla3.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/6316/malla7.jpg

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/8770/10735026.jpg

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/5200/16550599.jpg

Santiago de Cali - Palmira

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4094/malla4.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2631/malla6.jpg

Tulúa

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9228/12752712.jpg

Designs doble calzada vía Buenaventura – Loboguerrero

http://elpais.com.co/paisonline/fotos_notas/calzada1.jpg

Pics from aleko, juanxth caleño, www.panoramio.com

Aeropuerto Intl José Maria Córdoba - Medellín

Estas las tomé ayer :) No es autopista, pero si doble calzada y carretera.

Aeropuerto Intl José Maria Córdoba - Medellín
Por ahora se demora 40 min el recorrido, la mayoría en doble calzada. Cuando terminen el Tunel de Oriente (más de 8 kilómetros) va aquedar a 20 min :cheers:

Un reportaje bien amplio, eh? :lol:

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03561.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03562.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03566.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03570.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03576.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03577.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03579.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03583.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03591.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03592.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03596.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03598.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03599.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03607.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03608.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03612.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03613.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03618.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03619.jpg

Llegando a Medellin
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03625.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03629.jpg



Bonus

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03541.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/DSC03548.jpg

^^ Nice pics :applause:

Love it!! its getting better..

Doubling of the Cartagena - Barranquilla road in northern Colombia:

Avances Doble Calzada Via al Mar Cartagena-Barranquilla

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/1.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/10.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/11.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/12.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/13.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/14.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/15.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/16.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/17.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/18.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/19.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/2.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/20.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/21.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/22.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/23.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/24.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/25.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/26.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt143/Jaime1968/Doble%20Calzada/27.jpg

Somewhere in the Bogota region:

Bueno yo tengo unas del último puente de Julio (San Pedro), perdonden la calidad pero estaba algo..."contento":drunk:

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9249/img0435z.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/68/img0436yv.jpg


Noten como esta quedando la arborización del separador.., la mayoría de lo que está terminado es así.


http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1156/img0437yd.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/4093/img0438su.jpg

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/706/img0439vl.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/8173/img0440zy.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6294/img0441yw.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/439/img0443w.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/2019/img0444va.jpg

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/7176/img0446kf.jpg

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3947/img0447k.jpg



Notese que hay gente trabajando siendo ese día el lunes festivo de San Pedro ...Van a toda marcha!



http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9114/img0448h.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4100/img0451nw.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5061/img0452th.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/5738/img0454k.jpg

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/4302/img0456nm.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/6011/img0458il.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/5184/img0459wi.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/3554/img0465qq.jpg

Next page...

The following images are part of the first delivery of images of the Bogota-Briceño-Duitama-Sogamoso + Variant of Tunja doble calzada / autovía.

Passes through the cities of Tunja, Duitama and Sogamoso. Are 176 miles of autovía + 25 miles of motorway/highway. I will show images of 140 kilometers mainly from Bogotá to the town of Paipa.

The number of the route is 55. The images are in 640x480 for faster loading and advance the thread as I will publish more pictures.

________________________________________________________

Route 55 | I

Some maps and the road. As you can see the autovía / doble calzada runs through the provinces of Cundinamarca and Boyacá, and connects the cities of Bogota, Tunja, Sogamoso and Duitama.

On the map I decided to write in green on behalf of cities noted for their importance at national level so they can get an idea of the location of several cities on the route:

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9771/mapavialboyaca.jpg

Now a map with the autovía / doble calzada[ and his location in a country map:

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/3977/mapavialcolombia.jpg

________________________________________________________

Toll near Chia:

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/2539/1006212c.jpg

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/4573/1006215.jpg

Bogotá - Briceño:

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/1729/1006222.jpg

Some houses in Chia, a town with a location near to Bogotá:

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/1850/1006228.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/6333/1006232t.jpg

Some works:

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/8161/1006242h.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/103/1006243.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/6688/1006244s.jpg

End of works:

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/669/1006248.jpg

1st return:

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/9840/1006252.jpg

More pics:

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9870/1006260.jpg

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/2202/1006262.jpg

I like this shot:

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5246/1006264b.jpg

A small village:

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/791/1006265.jpg

Ruta 55:

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1297/1006267.jpg

A small river:

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6552/1006268i.jpg

The landscape is amazing:

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/371/1006279k.jpg

Another return:

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5525/1006283s.jpg

More autovía...

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/4301/1006284v.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3685/1006287r.jpg

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/6140/1006288.jpg

Sisga Reservoir :drool: :drool: :drool:

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/1146/1006292.jpg

More...

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/8779/1006294l.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1973/1006296.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9329/1006297b.jpg

Is under construction the other section of the bridge:

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/5233/1006299.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/1548/1006303.jpg

A pic with Sisga Reservoir :bow: :bow: :bow:

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/6748/1006307b.jpg

And more:

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7759/1006313.jpg

Another return...

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/1893/1006319l.jpg

And another after some kilometers:D

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3948/1006322.jpg

Again more works on the road:

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/8574/1006325m.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6751/1006326.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/2103/1006328.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/35/1006330o.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2259/1006337.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/4839/1006340a.jpg

A pretty calf :D

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/60/1006341.jpg

And more works:

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9929/1006344o.jpg

________________________________________________________

To be continued...

Autopista del Café (Armenia - Pereira - Manizales):

CHINCHINA,CALDAS

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/5079/filecocoimg79891.jpg

SANTA ROSA DE CABAL R/DA

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3487/filecocoimg80031.jpg

What type of grass is it? And how is the soil quality in that area, is it possible to cultivate soy beans?

What type of grass is it? And how is the soil quality in that area, is it possible to cultivate soy beans?

WTF? :nuts:

Thanks, Aireos and everyone, for a fine thread. :)

^^ :)

What type of grass is it? And how is the soil quality in that area, is it possible to cultivate soy beans?

:? :nuts:

What type of grass is it? And how is the soil quality in that area, is it possible to cultivate soy beans?

Ummmm.... Cultivate soy beans in the in the median strip of the highway?! :omg:

Seriously though, I'm guessing the area would be OK for growing soy beans, but can't say that with any accuracy, as I live in Canada, not Columbia.

Ummmm.... Cultivate soy beans in the in the median strip of the highway?! :omg:

Seriously though, I'm guessing the area would be OK for growing soy beans, but can't say that with any accuracy, as I live in Canada, not Columbia.

Columbia? I guess u mean Columbia, South Carolina, cuz ours is ColOmbia.

Malla vial del Valle del Cauca

Variante de Bogalagrande.
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs079.snc3/14667_1272832269229_1482576633_30744642_7049490_n.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs059.snc3/14667_1272832389232_1482576633_30744644_4664454_n.jpg

Esta es la doble calzada Buga-Tuluá-La Paila que próximamente llegará hasta el municipio de La Victoria. Esta es la doble calzada que recientemente se le construyó a la variante ya existente de esta vía que pasa por Tuluá.
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs079.snc3/14667_1272823789017_1482576633_30744628_1244127_n.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs079.snc3/14667_1272823829018_1482576633_30744629_2110450_n.jpg

Variante de Tuluá.
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs059.snc3/14667_1272824029023_1482576633_30744632_1436677_n.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs059.snc3/14667_1272830509185_1482576633_30744633_113508_n.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs079.snc3/14667_1272830589187_1482576633_30744634_1783567_n.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs079.snc3/14667_1272830669189_1482576633_30744636_4981751_n.jpg

Variante del municipio de Bugalagrante. Tanto esta variante como la de Tuluá rodean estas dos poblaciones, no las atraviesan.
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs079.snc3/14667_1272830709190_1482576633_30744637_5734712_n.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs079.snc3/14667_1272832189227_1482576633_30744640_7689354_n.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs079.snc3/14667_1272832229228_1482576633_30744641_3514676_n.jpg

:banana::banana:

Nice thread. Why I didn't see this topic before?

Tuluá - Corozal

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu48/upbarq/4083982752_ab0142dc12_b1.jpg

A main road (Carretera) in Caquetá (in the south of Colombia)

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu48/upbarq/3949151851_977cd32259_o.jpg

Autopista Medellín - Bogotá:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm288/Pablo323_2008/DSC05480.jpg

Medellín - Cartagena (at this moment with only two lines)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3490/3226495381_9032301226_b.jpg

Manizales - Bogotá:

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/4024791482_503b0008f0_b.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/4024745146_bbe4c69b07_b.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk283/alejoaoa/4023974193_652b7211d5_b.jpg

And more pics by my:


_________________________________________________________

Ruta 55 | III


Continuamos:

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/728/1006345.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7276/1006354.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9584/1006356.jpg

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/5143/1006349j.jpg

Los paisajes son simplemente hermosos:

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/5542/1006353.jpg

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/9794/1006352.jpg

Seguimos:

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8044/1006360.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1852/1006361z.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4283/1006368.jpg

Más tráfico

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/7217/1006370.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8531/1006371.jpg

Otra vez obras:

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/8617/1006372.jpg

La doble calzada al fondo:

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/761/1006373o.jpg

Publicidad :D

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8771/1006378u.jpg

Más vía:

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/917/1006380.jpg

Increíble esa montaña :D

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/6339/1006383.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/2203/1006387k.jpg

Obras a lo lejos:

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/8092/1006388.jpg

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8140/1006391.jpg

Llegando a esas obras:

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4246/1006392k.jpg

La única calzada debido a esas obras:

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4401/1006398z.jpg

Increíble el color de la tierra:

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/594/1006399i.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3323/1006400t.jpg

_________________________________________________________

Continuará...

National Route 25 between Cartagena and Medellin

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7553/colombiadisco25.png

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/4247/medellincartagena2.jpg

National Route 25 between Cartagena and Medellin

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7553/colombiadisco25.png

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/8420/medellincartagena1.jpg

National Route 25 / Panamerican Highway between Cartago and Tulua

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7553/colombiadisco25.png http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1289/discopanam2colombia.png

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6199/16549710.jpg
photo by Pablo Cesar Vargas

National Route 65 / Jungle Belt-Road between Villavicencio and San Jose del Guaviare (near Puerto Santander)

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/8026/colombiadisco65.png http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3166/discomarginalselva.png

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7011/17079890.jpg
photo by Francisco Castro Lima

National Route 65 / Jungle Belt-Road between Villavicencio and San Jose del Guaviare (near Puerto Santander)

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/8026/colombiadisco65.png http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3166/discomarginalselva.png

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/7915/17079669.jpg
photo by Francisco Castro Lima

This page has many pictures so I will try to go to the next one :okay:

Next page -->

next page :okay:

almost there!

National Route 55 between Bogota and Tunja

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/6433/colombiadisco55.png

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/5086/bogotatunja.jpg
photo by unknown author

National Route 90 between Barranquilla and Cienaga

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3240/colombiadisco90.png

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/6397/barranquillacienaga.jpg
photo by unknown author

National Route 25 / Panamerican Highway between Cerritos and Cartago

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7553/colombiadisco25.png http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1289/discopanam2colombia.png

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6318/pereiracartago.jpg
photo by unknown author

National Routes 25 / Panamerican Highway between Bello and El Hatillo (just north of Medellin)

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7553/colombiadisco25.png http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1289/discopanam2colombia.png

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/9165/bellohatilloantioquia2.jpg
photo by INVIAS

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/8854/bellohatilloantioquia3.jpg
photo by INVIAS

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/471/bellohatilloantioquia.jpg
photo by INVIAS

National Route 65 / Jungle Belt-Road between Fuente de Oro and Rincon Bolivar

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/8026/colombiadisco65.png http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3166/discomarginalselva.png

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3739/65fuentedeororinconboli.jpg
photo by Rafael Arjona

National Route 54 between La Vega and Villeta (West of Bogota)

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2996/colombiadisco54.png

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/8190/villetahonda.jpg
photo by INVIAS

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8246/villetahonda3.jpg
photo by INVIAS

National Route 55 between Bogota and Tunja

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/6433/colombiadisco55.png

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/5086/bogotatunja.jpg
photo by unknown author


The Best of Colombia

National Route 50 / Panamerican Highway between Villeta and Guaduas (West of Bogota)

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/4452/colombiadisco50.png http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1289/discopanam2colombia.png
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/8190/villetahonda.jpg
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8246/villetahonda3.jpg


I'm almost certain that the pictures in this post belong to the La Vega-Villeta section of Highway 54 (also known as Autopista Bogotá-Medellín, not belonging to the Panamericana), which is "2+2". On the other hand, the highway between Villeta and Guaduas is a 2-lane highway with lots of curves and very steep; I've travelled this road a couple of years ago when I went to Santa Marta.

Cheers.

^^ The description of the photos on the INVIAS website (http://www.invias.gov.co/) says "Vía Villeta-Honda" so when I looked on the map of Cundinamarca (http://www.invias.gov.co/invias/hermesoft/portalIG/home_1/recursos/01_general/mapas/contenidos/15042008/12_cundinamarca.jsp#) (provided by INVIAS) the only road connecting these two towns is National Route 50. Similarly, if I look for the road connecting these two towns on google earth, I only find one road labeled as "Panamericana". I assumed because of the slope of the terrain, the pictures must have been taken between Villeta and Guaduas - this last town being approximately half way between Villeta and Honda. Hence my description.

Note that going from west to east, the Panamerican Highway (per google earth) splits in two at Villeta (a north and a south route to Bogota). The north route (National Route 50 per INVIAS map) is labeled as "Autopista Bogota-Medellin" on google earth. Similarly, the south route (no label on the INVIAS map) is labeled "Panamericana" on google earth. The town of La Vega is east of Villeta via the north route (National Rote 50 per INVIAS and Autopista Bogota-Medellin per google earth).

In other words National Route 50 from Honda to Villeta (passing Guaduas) is both the Panamericana and the Autopista Bogota-Medellin. From Villeta to Bogota, the north route passing through La Vega (still National Route 50) is the Autopista Bogota-Medellin. Finally, From Villeta to Bogota, the south route (unlabeled route number) is the Panamericana. I am basing my labeling on the INVIAS maps and google earth, but they could be wrong or outdated :dunno:

^^ I see... I located the photo section of the INVIAS website, and I located another picture labeled "Villeta - Honda":

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/9442/rednal07.jpg
By MetroMEX (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/mexcolmetro) at 2010-06-25

In case that the photograph does not appear, I'll describe the scene: there's a road sign labeled "La Vega / Nocaima"; this junction is actually located halfway between Villeta and La Vega. Therefore, as I suspected, INVIAS mislabeled the pictures assigning the wrong section of the Bogotá-Honda highway; they should actually read "La Vega - Villeta".

Regarding the numbering system, I also noticed that the Cundinamarca map labels the northern branch of the Bogotá - Villeta highway as route 50. Actually the number belongs to the southern branch (the original Panamericana, which goes through Facatativá); the northern branch should be route 54 (I have a map that confirms this).

Unfortunately, in many Colombian maps, even the official ones are a little bit unnacurate concerning the numbering system because in common use the highways are referred by destination and not by number. In addition, many commercial maps do not display the official number.

In any case, this highway is very important for the country because is the main link between the capital city and other regions such as the Eje Cafetero, the North Coast and Medellín. I really appreciate your effort in showing the forumers many South American roads.

¡Saludos!

^^ Thank you MetroMex! I will change the description from National Route 50 to National Route 54. It makes sense that the Panamerican Highway be National Route 50 since that is its designation in other segments. I usually go by google earth but I know for a fact that their route numbers for Ecuador and Peru are totally outdated. I did not think that the official maps by the government agencies would be wrong though. :ohno: Good catch on your part.

I have seen more routes signed with their numbers lately, specially in Ecuador and Colombia. You can see a sign for National Route 25 on the first picture I posted of the segment between Bello and El Hatillo. Hopefully the sign more routes appropriately. :okay:

National Route 40 (Llanos Freeway) between Bogota and Villavicencio

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/8375/colombiadisco40.png

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/5724/40llegandoavillavicenci.jpg
photo by unknown author

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6374/viaductopipiral.jpg
photo by Rockatronic

National Route 65 / Jungle Belt-Road between Rincon Bolivar and Puerto Limon

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/8026/colombiadisco65.png http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3166/discomarginalselva.png

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/1008/65rinconbolivarpuertoli.jpg
photo by Hector Usme

A Panamerican Highway Shield in Colombia

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/4599/2449645852e0517b4bd8b.jpg

Yes but just becuase some can afford the tolls doesn't make it ok to pollute (CO). even with enforced auto emissions standards more cars still = more carbon monoxide, and more congestion and those looking for a better way of getting around are hooped. The options should be

a) eight-hour drives
b) 3 hour train-ride
c) 1 hour flight

Efficient, accessible, and environmentally clean transit (ie high speed trains) should be positioned as easiest, fastest, and most popular choice to push a change in direction away from car-culture before it is too late.

High speed trains don't haul cargo, don't provide a backbone network for moving goods and are links to points A, B and C where you have stations. They cost a hell of money to be built too, especially in mountainous regions.

Freeways improve the flow of people and goods all along the way. It makes easier to expand the catchment area for a shopping mall, it makes feasible to relocate factories far, far outside major population centers to where land is cheap and easy to build and so.

NO developed country (not a single one) in Europe, North America or Oceania moves majority of its population or cargo by rails (and, no, I don't consider small city-states like Hong Kong or Singapore as viable models for whole countries like Colombia). Not even here in Europe. Not even in beloved train-free-spending-dig-everywhere Switzerland.

So Colombia is doing the right thing. You don't build a 200km freeway for people to commute daily, you build them to create axis of economic activity.

As for pollution generated by cars and trucks, if they are old and do not abide to regulations, then improve enforcement! Otherwise, it would be like saying that some Andean countries should torn down their buildings and put population in primitive huts because they can't enforce 100% seismic-building legislation everywhere, i.e., non-sense.

Then, sooner or later we will have electric cars, hydrogen-cell trucks and who knows what more. The flexibility and ripple effect of road construction and of car-based transportation is not in the Otto-cycle engines or so, but in the fact that a car is independent, 100% flexible, no setup time, easily re-routable, fully compatible with other cars in the road or so...

So if Colombia is aiming to become a more developed country, it should indeed focus on roads, not trains, let alone cash-guzzler high-speed trains running through the "sierras" in multi-billion tunnel projects. It is quite established in the scientific literature of spatial economy that, after electricity and telecommunications, a decent road network is the most important factor to, everything else kept equal, proper economic growth and economic diversification and integration in markets to almost every region.

National Route 25 / Panamerican Highway between Tuluá and Bugalagrande

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7553/colombiadisco25.png http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1289/discopanam2colombia.png

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/2849/25tuluabugalagrande.jpg
photo by unknown author

National Route 50 / Panamerican Highway between Manizales and Bogota

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/4452/colombiadisco50.png http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1289/discopanam2colombia.png

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/8416/manizalesbogota.jpg
photo by unknown author

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4507/manizalesbogota2.jpg
photo by unknown author

Hi Everyone!

I am looking for a bridge in a remote part of Colombia that is reported to be over 200 meters high as measured from the deck to the water. This would make it the highest bridge span in South or Central America. The information was given to me by a major bungee jump equipment supplier in Pennsylvania who was there about 10 years ago.

Since I have reached so many frustrating dead ends with neither Colombian bridge engineers nor any posts on the internet knowing of such a span, I will pay 100 dollars to anyone who can come up with a location, name or images of this bridge span that I will then include on my website www.HighestBridges.com.

The information from the bungee jumper and equipment supplier from Pennsylvania was as follows:

"The bridge in Colombia was 216 meters / 710 feet to the water. The locals reported that the water was almost at peak depth. During dry periods, the water level could drop as much as 50 ft. The bridge is extremely remote - around 100 miles up into the Andes Mountains. The closest populated town might have been 75 miles from there. It's very close to mountain coca fields in a drug cartel area.

The bridge was funded by the U.S. government along with a police station to help the Federales fight and gain access to coca growers but was abandoned after the police station was assaulted by the guerrillas who murdered the Feds and the area was never manned again. I never knew the name of the bridge nor could I ever find it without a guide.

We were actually visited on the bridge by two guerrillas in military fatigues with automatic assault weapons the day that photo was taken. They were obviously watching us from a hidden location in the hills. When they approached, they wanted to be sure we were jumping and not law officers posing as jumpers. They demanded that everyone in our group perform a jump as they waited and watched. Once convinced that we were indeed crazy bungee jumpers, we were left to do our business in peace. I can't say exactly where the 700 footer is. It was well into the mountains, probably three or four hours drive west or east of Bogota. Several times we had to cut through vegetation on the abandoned dirt road. I've lost contact with the Colombian crew we jumped with."

The Pennsylvania jumper also told me he recalls the bridge was likely a concrete beam bridge with a span of around 100 meters over a very deep chasm. Of the more then 400 bridges in the world I have discovered, this one has become the most elusive and difficult to find - almost like a legendary lost city of gold. If any bridge fans in Colombia can find this span, it is sure to become the bridge find of the year and will earn its place among the world's 50 highest bridges. If the bridge exists, I would finally come down to Colombia to see for myself one of the world's more dangerous bridge spans.

Thanks,

Eric Sakowski
www.HighestBridges.com

Colombia's Highest Bridges
http://www.highestbridges.com/wiki/i...es_in_Colombia

You can reach me at Eric@HighestBridges.com

The Search is on!

National Route 50 / Panamerican Highway between Manizales and Bogota

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/4452/colombiadisco50.png http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1289/discopanam2colombia.png

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/8416/manizalesbogota.jpg
photo by unknown author

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4507/manizalesbogota2.jpg
photo by unknown author

Awesome pics with the Nevado del Ruiz.

^^ Is this a Volcano that erupted a while ago, melted a lot of snow and buried 2 cities under mud (killing thousands in the process)? I saw a documentary, but I'm not sure if it was exactly this volcano.

^^ Is this a Volcano that erupted a while ago, melted a lot of snow and buried 2 cities under mud (killing thousands in the process)? I saw a documentary, but I'm not sure if it was exactly this volcano.
Yeah, is that...
Armero was the town.

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Concesiones Viales Colombia
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I found an interesting article about an infrastructure share offering intended to finance several major projects, including, with the approval of the Colombian government, construction of a roadway to complete the Colombian side of the Darien Gap of the Pan-American highway. The article mentions that the recent settling down of rebel activity in the area is making this project more attractive.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-27/rebel-retreat-leads-condor-to-seek-ipo-to-fund-highways.html

Interesting.

:yes:

Any thoughts?

Mike