Autopista Río Magdalena’s management, committed to safety and the environment

Since operations began last March, Autopista Río Magdalena has developed operation, conservation and updating works on the infrastructure, further to its constant wish to provide a service committed to user and worker safety, environmentally-friendly management and committed communication and permanent closeness to its various stakeholders.

As part of the commitment undertaken by the concessionaire company in the region, policies are being promoted and applied that prioritize employability within the project’s area of influence, directly helping to reactivate the economy and improve local quality of life.

Ordinary conservation and updating work on the road has progressed as scheduled for this stage. The priority tasks to improve user safety conditions have included- in addition to patching, improved signaling and clearing of transversal works- action at critical infrastructure points. In this context, the most relevant actions executed to date have been the construction of retaining walls and other types of wall to stabilize slopes, clean longitudinal and transversal channeling to improve drainage, bank recovery and land adjustment works.

The Emergency Call Center (CAE), installed at the Puerto Berrío office, has handled on average twenty user calls a day, basically covering requests for road assistance (68%). The good results obtained are reflected in quality indicators linked to maximum response times, signaling and clearing of the road in the event of an incident or accident, which are still way below the limits contractually foreseen.

Initial training in occupational risk prevention matters and continuous supervision have resulted in no incident being registered until now, over the more than 70,000 km covered by operators and subcontracted staff. The management of site materials and waste has also involved permanent worker training in industrial security matters, the environment and community relations.

Finally, the concessionaire company has published its corporate portal (www.autopistamagdalena.com.co) with all the necessary user information. Furthermore, it has begun a process to approach and collaborate with local communities through initiatives to donate materials generated in the leveling and land movement process, or to provide support with signaling devices in the Vuelta Antioquia event, sponsored by the Antioquia Cycling League.

Retaining wall to stabilize slopes.