An analysis of the socioenvironmental problems created by the construction of road tunnels in Colombia: case study

Abstract

One of the most important challenges facing road engineering in Colombia is overcoming the geographical configuration of the central region of Antioquia. Its very nature has made the construction of road tunnels the primary option for improving transport infrastructure, despite the fact that communities located in the scope of the projects have reported being negatively affected by them. The main objective was to carry out a critical analysis of the management implemented during the execution of the Fernando Gómez Martínez Tunnel project. This was achieved using ex-post evaluation methodology-based models, whereby the main results are based on deficiencies in management from the planning and execution stages of the project, together with weaknesses in the process of licensing, monitoring and control by the environmental authority.

Keywords

• tunnel
• socioenvironmental conflict
• environmental impact assessment
• environmental management plan
• environmental license
• ex-post evaluation