MOP and highways agree to reduce fees to $ 1,000 in the early hours of this Thursday – National

Amidst a series of festivals in the country, starting with Halloween, followed by All Saints' Day and, after that, by the Feast of Evangelical Churches, half a million Chileans should leave the capital along weekend, which will last four days.

But everything will not be a holiday: it is also to be feared that the "megatacos" on the highways, which occurred in the past, due to the increase in traffic, which sometimes even doubled the maximum of the various motorways, could be repeated.

Anticipating this scenario, the Department of Public Works (MOP) and the concession companies have developed a plan involving an unprecedented measure: the incentive to toll toll at $ 1,000 Thursday between 00:00 and 09:00, reports the newspaper . the newspaper "La Tercera".

The agreement is in place for drivers to have a stimulus to mobilize before the hours traditionally characterized by peak flow.

It had already been taken for granted what happened on September 15 when a large part of the drivers coincided with their departure from the capital at the same time and that there were traffic jams that could go up to 30 kilometers in the morning.

At La Ruta 5 Sur (Talca-Acceso Sur), the discounted price will be applied from 1 am on Thursday, November 1st at 9am. It will be the same on Route 68, which connects Santiago and Valparaiso, and on Route 78, which connects the capital to San Antonio.

In the case of Ruta 5 Norte (Santiago-Los Vilos), the El Melón Tunnel will have a bidirectional house when the capacity of the road is exceeded (see table). In the same sections, the trucks will also receive the alternative payment of $ 1,000 between midnight and 6 am. The idea is that these vehicles do not generate tacos in the morning.

The Dealers' Plan envisages the return, set for November 4, between midnight and noon on Routes 5 South, 68 and 78. Neither Route 5 North nor Route 57 (Santiago-Colina-Los Andes) will apply this provision.

The Minister of Public Works (S), Lucas Palacios, explained that on "critical" highways such as 5 Sur and 68, where more congestion is projected, this "driver incentive" has been programmed. To this will be added the third runways for a long time. "He added that in the south 5, there will be three runways to the south and one to the north, starting at 4 pm Wednesday.However, the authorities admit that "we are going to have tacos, that's why we are taking special measures to improve travel."

Juan Pablo Chávez, commercial director of Rutas del Maipo, adds that "over the weekend, Santiago will leave 115,000 vehicles, more than those who left Holy Week and a figure similar to that of "18." With the collection of the reduced toll, the flows can be distributed during the night and shorten journey times, because during this time, the number of cars is reduced. It's a way of planning outings. "

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this stimulus for travelers?" Carlos Melo, an engineering graduate of the University of San Sebastián, appreciates this measure: "Spread the demand over the hours of light traffic has a significant impact on congestion at rush hour. "

Organizations promoting safety on the roads raise their apprehensions Karina Muñoz, president of Consciousness Vial, says that during the night" it is necessary to take extra precautions, because at that time, drivers are tired and tend to drive faster. "

Experts say that in general, Chilean pilots are not" sensitive "to the rates they charge for their travels.The director of the Automobile Club of Chile, Alberto Escobar, said that "people badume this cost as part of the trip and move as they determine, in order to re for a longer time outside Santiago. "