Peru's Ministry of Transport and Communications, through its executing unit Provias Nacional, has signed two contracts with Chinese firms for construction projects in the department of Cusco. The first involves the improvement of the road running from Santa Maria to Santa Teresa, on to the town of Hydroelectrica, and then onwards to Machu Picchu. The second involves the construction of the Machu Picchu Tunnel and Accesses.

The road improvement project was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Sucursal del Peru for a value of US$83.5 million. The 31-kilometre road will have two lanes of 3.30 meters each. 

The construction of the tunnel and the corresponding accesses will be executed by the Consorcio Carretera Cusco, formed by China Railway Tunnel Group Co. Sucursal del Peru and Grupo Constructor & Consultor Asociados. The contract is valued at US$41.5 million.

According to the government, the completion of the projects in Cusco will benefit the 19,000 inhabitants of the districts of Maranura, Santa Teresa and Machu Picchu, while also strengthening tourism as it will be an alternative route to approach the Machu Picchu area.