South American Atlantic-Pacific Corridor In the Works

An Atlantic-Pacific railroad and highway link that would connect Sao Paulo's Santos Port in Brazil and Chile's Pacific ports of Iquique and Arica could open as early as November, according to Chilean president Sebastián Piñera.

Officials described the "Bi-Oceanic Corridor" as a flagship project for South America's Mercosur trade bloc, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay as full members, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru as associate members and Venezuela as a full member awaiting ratification. The overland link would be an alternative to the Panama Canal. It will pass through Bolivia and span more than 2,600 miles, Pinera told reporters.

A minimum of 2 million metric tons of cargo is expected to be transported annually along the corridor, according to officials.