On December 29, 2022, the regional governor of the Metropolitan Region, Claudio Orrego, announced an investment of 7.7 billion Chilean pesos (9.4 million USD) for the construction of the Mapocho Pedaleable y Caminable Urban Promenade. The announcement is part of a public space recovery initiative and the master bike path plan promoted by the Chilean capital's regional government.
Initially developed as a thesis project by Chilean architects Tomás Echiburú and Osvaldo Larraín in 2011, Mapocho Pedaleable began as a series of mass rides along the riverbed of the Mapocho, the river that flows through Santiago from east to west. Cycling organizations subsequently joined the movement, and in 2013, the project was presented to the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications.
During the 2016 World Bicycle Forum held in Chile, President Michelle Bachelet prioritized the project. However, following a change in administration in 2018, the project was put on hold due to concerns raised by then-authorities regarding its feasibility.
The project, recently approved by the Regional Council, will span 5.25 kilometers along the south bank of the Mapocho River, connecting Parque de los Reyes with the Padre Letelier Bridge, with secondary access points at the La Concepción, Purísima, and Patronato bridges, and at the Huelén entrance. Additionally, it will connect with Mapocho Río Park and the Mapocho 42K Bike Path.
Authorities expect to open bidding for the project in the first half of this year and begin construction by late 2023. Project completion is scheduled for the second half of 2024.
Via Publimetro, GORE, Revista Pedalea.
This article was written by Nicolás Valencia. The translation is powered by AI.
