A design is ready for the new bridge linking Paraguay with Argentina – image courtesy of © Iakov Filimonov, Dreamstime.com
The design for a new bridge that will connect Paraguay and Argentina is now being analysed. The design is being scrutinised by Paraguay's Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC).
The bridge will connect Asuncion in Paraguay with Chaco'I in Argentina, spanning the Paraguay River. However, concerns remain as to whether the design will have to be modified, resulting in further increases in costs associated with its construction.
When the contract was first awarded for the structure, it was expected to cost close to US$120 million to construct. But concerns remain that changes may be needed for the design, which could result in the project being more expensive.
The bridge will be built by the Consorcio Union consortium, which comprises the Paraguyan contractors CDD Construcciones and Constructora Heisecke. The design was awarded by the consortium to a Brazilian engineering team.
The new design varies considerably from the previous proposal. Building this revised design is expected to cost an additional $18 million on top of the original budget. A loan of $300 million was originally provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) to pay for the project. Approval still has to be given by MOPC for the revision.
Meanwhile, MOPC recently held a virtual event discussing the country’s Corredor Metropolitano del Este programme. This is intended to deliver the necessary road links for the planned bridge that will span the Paraguay River and connect Presidente Franco in Paraguay with Foz do Iguacu in neighbouring Brazil. Financing worth around $212 million will be required for the work.
In addition, the project to build a bridge connecting Carmelo Peralta in Paraguay and Puerto Murtinho in Brazil will now be delayed until the current pandemic has passed. Funding for the work will come from Itaipu Binacional. The feasbility study and design work has been carried out by the Prointec consortium, which comprises Intec, Prosul and Innovacion y Excelencia.
