Paraguay Begins Emergency Works on Key Route 1 Section

The Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) has initiated preliminary, emergency interventions along the vital Departmental Route 027, also known as the former Route 1, connecting San Lorenzo and Itá. This action comes nine months after the contract signing, signaling a move to address critical issues on this heavily trafficked corridor while the comprehensive rehabilitation project undergoes final administrative and technical approvals.

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The Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) reported that the first interventions are already underway in the most compromised sections of the Departmental Route 027 (D027, former Route 1), between the cities of San Lorenzo and Itá, while awaiting technical and administrative approval of the comprehensive rehabilitation project.

These immediate works focus on the most severely damaged segments of the roadway. The objective is to enhance road surface grip, mitigate accident hazards, and ensure safer transit for the thousands of daily users. This provisional phase is crucial for providing immediate relief and maintaining usability of the route, which is fundamental for mobility within the Central Department and its metropolitan area, pending the commencement of the main, large-scale upgrade.

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The works currently underway between the cities of San Lorenzo and Itá are of a provisional and emergency nature, aimed at providing immediate solutions in the most deteriorated points of the road.

The broader project, contracted to Consorcio Victoria, encompasses the rehabilitation and maintenance of approximately 26.3 kilometers. Despite the contract being signed in July of the previous year, the project's full-scale execution has been hampered by delays in releasing the necessary advance payment. The total contract value stands at over G. 200 billion (approximately US$ 27 million), a figure that, while the lowest bid, significantly exceeded the tender's reference price. The plan includes an 18-month phase for integral rehabilitation followed by a 24-month maintenance period. From a Paraguayan perspective, as reported by ABC Color, the urgency of these infrastructure projects is paramount for economic development and public safety, and the delays underscore the bureaucratic challenges often faced in executing large public works.

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With these actions, we seek to improve the adhesion of the roadway, reduce the risk of accidents, and guarantee safer transit for users, while completing the technical and administrative processes to initiate the main works.