After years of discussion, the fixed connection between the Isla Grande de Chiloé and the Chilean mainland is becoming a reality. Expected to be completed in 2025, the Chacao Bridge will be a 2,750-meter-long suspension structure spanning the Chacao Channel, specifically connecting Punta Coronel to Punta Gallán. Currently, crossing to the island takes approximately 20 minutes by ferry, a service often subject to delays due to weather conditions. The bridge will reduce this transit time to just 3 minutes, regardless of external factors.
Planning for a connection between the island and the mainland dates back to the 1970s, when a law was enacted to promote the bridge's construction. After initial efforts stalled, studies for various connection methods—including upgrading the existing system, building a tunnel, or exploring different bridge typologies—began in the 1990s. The suspension bridge concept eventually gained traction, and in 2013, the project was awarded to the international consortium Oas – Hyundai – Systra – Aas Jakobsen through a traditional public works contract. The approval of the Chacao Bridge has been a long and contentious process, fueled by concerns over its high economic cost, potential environmental impact, the cultural perception of the island, and its overall utility.
