Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo says that Santiago’s new bypass will be in operation in February 2014. At present, traffic headed north needs to pass through the city center causing half-hour delays. Construction began on the highway in 1996 but it was never completed until now. Castillo said that the bypass would decongest heavy traffic and save vehicles that are not headed for Santiago from having to cross the city. He said it would also reduce pollution. He announced that the 24km road will begin being paved next week. The work is being carried out by Ingenieria Estrella and Odebrecht. It goes from Canabacoa to the Joaquin Balaguer Highway (Navarrette).